2007:1593 - Cahir, Tipperary

Groundworks were monitored as part of laying ducting for a broadband scheme in Cahir town. In total eight streets within the zone of archaeological potential for Cahir were opened as part of this scheme. However, the results of monitoring proved negative regarding the presence of artefacts and deposits relating to the early habitation and settlement of the town. In fact, absolutely nothing was discovered pertaining to any period earlier than the late 19th century. What was apparent was the considerable shallowness of the bedrock in a number of locations. These include Mountain Road, Church Street, Bridge Street and the Square. If any archaeological evidence was present in these areas, it would be in the form of ephemeral lenses rather than distinct layers. This is also the case regarding the square, which was comprehensively developed (redeveloped?) in the early years of the 19th century.
It should also be accepted that all openings within this scheme were confined to roads, which have been continuously repaired and developed over at least the last 200 years and especially the latter half of the 20th century. With the need to withstand the constant pounding caused by modern transport, these recent improvements have necessitated the removal of earlier layers/deposits, including damaged cobbled surfaces, to be replaced by stronger, longer-lasting aggregates, such as 804 formula. Therefore any previously surviving archaeological material would have been removed and destroyed.
The importance of Cahir during the medieval period is still visible with the physical presence of the castle, which initially straddled a large natural rock outcrop in the river, possibly protecting a ford. Furthermore, due to the nature of the River Suir, it is almost positive either bank would have been part of a flood-plain, prohibiting sustainable settlement or development at that time. The immediate vicinity around the castle was under water and not infilled until the post-medieval period, when utilised for industrial activity, especially brewing and milling. Therefore, it should not be too surprising not to find medieval deposits within this vicinity.
Many of the roads opened as part of this scheme probably would have their origins in the medieval period connecting Cahir to the other Norman strongholds in the area: Mary Street would have facilitated access to Ardfinnan, Abbey Street to Limerick via Tipperary town, Church Street to Cashel, and Old Church Street to Clonmel.
Evidence regarding the location of the medieval settlement still proves rather ephemeral. Some writers lean towards it being somewhere within the vicinity of the abbey on the north side of the river, with the abbey church also being the parish church. This seems to be confirmed by a document written around 1540, which states that the church building had from time immemorial served as the local parish church. However, conflicting evidence is manifest in the Civil Survey of 1654–56, which states that St Mary’s Church was the medieval parish church, and after the Reformation was divided by a conspicuous ‘curtain wall’ which was used to allow both Catholics and Protestants to worship simultaneously. This church appears to date to the 13th century, with later rebuilding in the 15th/16th century (Urban Archaeological Survey, 1993). Presumably the congregation of this church would have lived in relatively close proximity to it, which would have been on the eastern side of the river, possibly on the elevated ground to its east. This has resulted in the fact, as research presently stands, of Cahir being in the unusual position of having two medieval parish churches, one at either end of the town, which accommodated a medieval population that has currently left no physical evidence of its existence.