County: Limerick Site name: Mungret (Site II)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 07E0351
Author: John Kavanagh and Peadar Quine, Icon Archaeology Ltd, 12 Cherrymount Drive, Carlow, Co. Carlow.
Site type: Vicinity of abbey
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 484026m, N 552446m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.712396, -9.678276
A test excavation was undertaken to assess the archaeological potential of a greenfield site at Mungret, Co. Limerick. The proposed development site is located close to but outside of the zone of archaeological potential of Mungret Abbey (LI013–009). As part of the test excavation, 87 test-trenches were excavated.
The archaeological activity identified was concentrated along the north and north-eastern area of the proposed development site. The majority of the features identified were the remains of plough furrows and gullies associated with past agricultural activities. However, a total of thirteen pits, two kilns and five post-holes were identified and these suggest possible habitation or industrial use of the area. The recovery of iron slag and medieval pottery from several features may also be indicative of small-scale industrial activity generally associated with medieval ecclesiastical sites. Further investigations will be carried out in 2008.
