2006:1827 - CAHIR: Townparks, Tipperary

Monitoring of pipelaying was undertaken as part of works on the Cahir sewerage scheme. Works were confined to the south, south-east and south-west of Cahir Castle, close to both banks of the River Suir.

Two features of possible archaeological potential were revealed in a field on the east bank of the River Suir and to the south of Cahir Castle (locally known as Inch Field). One of the features was manifest as an area of burnt clay. Although some charcoal was present, not enough could be retrieved to produce an adequate sample. In fact, due to the small quantity of charcoal within the burning, it is considered the focus of the burning was not associated with anything constructed of wood. No definite interpretation is offered for this anomaly, although it is possible it may be the residue of crop burning or a turf structure. Even so, local information has stated that Inch Field was not created until at least the 17th century, which is confirmed by the Pacata Hibernia map of 1599. This map shows the western side of the castle at the river edge on a slight rocky pinnacle. Regarding the second feature—the exposed timbers adjacent to the burning—there was no opportunity to excavate this feature as the contractor readjusted his levels to avoid impacting upon this discovery and accordingly it was preserved in situ beneath terram, sand and gravel.

Findings from the monitoring revealed two distinct phases of land reclamation within Inch Field. The first comprised the importing of topsoil and clay to extend westwards from the immediate environs of the castle. Stratigraphy within this part of the scheme consists of the deposition of c. 1.6m of orangey-brown clay topped with a slightly clay loamy topsoil. It is considered this work was commissioned within the latter years of the 18th century. At this time well-manicured parkland became the vogue with the landed classes in their attempt to show control over nature. This is the period that saw the introduction of exotic flora and fauna, such as rhododendrons and sycamores, etc. The second phase occurred in the 20th century, which saw Inch Field extended even further westwards to its present riverside boundary. This phase comprised importing large amounts of rubble within a heavy clay to a similar thickness of the earlier works. All the above works were consolidated in the latter half of the 20th century with the sinking of a subterranean sewer pipe under the riverbed, the construction of a concrete chamber and the slight extension of the field. At this time the new riverbank was strengthened to withstand flood damage.

Works were also carried out in the castle carpark. The 1599 Pacata Hibernia map also shows this area as being under water. There were no medieval (or earlier) structures at this location. It is known that this vicinity was infilled by the post-medieval period and utilised for industrial activity, especially brewing and milling. No evidence for this was revealed during the works.

Pipelaying was undertaken along Barrack Street, a street leading south out of the town and parallel to the river. As the name implies, this street has strong associations with the military. Unusually for a provincial town, Cahir housed a complete regiment, which would have required good communication routes. This is reflected in the stratigraphy revealed during the works, which consisted of a compact layer of redeposited small, smooth, washed pebbles bonded with a mid-brown, high silicate, slightly sandy clay beneath concrete, with the modern road surface above. Due to the fact that a cavalry regiment was based in the town, it is believed that the top dressing of the road during this period would have consisted of clay overlying the tamped pebbles and clay.

The only feature discovered at this location was the extant lower courses of a wall at the entrance to Wheelers’ Estate, which is situated at the north end of Barrack Street. Its bonding agent is of a Portland cement type of no earlier than the mid- to late 19th century. Therefore it is considered that this wall was part of an earlier entranceway into the property and may have been remodelled to facilitate vehicular transport in the early years of the 20th century.

17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary