2010:620 - Lorrha, Tipperary

The excavation of seven box trenches to facilitate the construction of a safety railing on the northern side of St Ruadhán’s RC Chapel, Lorrha, Nenagh, was carried out in December 2010. The chapel, which was rebuilt c. 1812, is a protected structure (North Tipperary County Council RPS No. S269) and lies adjacent to the remains of a Dominican foundation (National Monument No. 361). No archaeological features were identified in the box trenches. Excavation showed that a layer of limestone rubble, approximately 0.6m deep, had been used to build up the ground surface in this area. This phase of build-up is likely to date to either the 19th-century construction phase, or the more recent phase of work carried out for the 165th anniversary of its construction in 1977. A single fragment of medieval dressed stone was recovered from the excavation of the trenches, which had been reused as rubble infill.
A small area (approximately 33m²) on the northern side of the chapel was monitored, as well as the removal of a 1m section of a modern wall, under an update of the same consent. Although no archaeological features were identified, a quantity of later medieval masonry was found to have been reused in the construction of the stone wall. The fragments, including one which depicted two carved heads, ranged in date from the c. 13th to the 16th centuries. A quantity of undecorated but dressed masonry was also identified. A comprehensive report on the stone is in preparation.
Alterations to a series of steps on the southern side of the chapel were also monitored. No archaeological features were noted. The steps formed part of the 1977 renovations.