2007:98 - Hanover House, Carlow, Carlow

Test excavation was carried out at Hanover House, Carlow town, between 17 and 25 September 2007. The proposed development site was situated to the south of the main community and commercial centre of the town. The north-western section of the site was within the archaeological constraint zone for Carlow town. The site was triangular in plan and consisted of two parts: Penney’s retail complex and car-parking facilities located in the west and Hanover Park located in the east.
Penney’s retail complex was constructed over the site of Hanover House, an 18th-century residence with associated landscaped gardens and outbuildings; this was demolished at some point between 1977 and 1988. The existing south-western boundary wall of the development site was probably associated with Hanover House. The original gateway to Hanover House is extant just west of the development site. Hanover Park is an area of communal grassland fronting on to the River Burrin; these lands served as gardens for Hanover House. The proposed development consists of a mixed-use retail, residential and office scheme. A network of pedestrian links is also proposed for construction through the centre of the upgraded park and along the Riverside Walk.
Eleven test-trenches were excavated in the footprint of the proposed development. The original topsoil and garden soil was noted in all trenches apart from A, B and H. Possible remnants of pathways may have been found in Trenches C, F, G and J. Bases of walls were noted in Trenches B, C, D, F and G. They are represented on the historic maps of Carlow town. A possible drain was noted in Trench E and a tree-lined stone wall was noted in Trench I.
Monitoring of demolition works of the Penney’s complex and a period of further archaeological investigation prior to construction works were recommended, in order to fully assess and record extant subsurface remains associated with Hanover House. It is envisaged that these works will be carried out in 2008.