2011:394 - RIVER NORE, ISLAND MILL, BURRELLSPARK, THOMASTOWN, Kilkenny

Island Weir, c. 400m upstream of Thomastown Bridge, forms part of a mill complex dating from the late 18th century. The structural integrity of the weir was compromised in February 2008, with the central section of the structure being washed away during a period of heavy flooding. In response, a comprehensive assessment of Island Weir was undertaken (2009) to provide a detailed record of the extent/condition of the remaining weir sections and to ascertain their long-term stability. This was undertaken as part of a weir conservation project initiated by the Thomastown Community River Trust (TCRT), representing the first archaeological study of the structure and its surrounding environment (Rex Bangerter, licence nos 09D054, 09R143).

Building upon this work, TCRT commissioned (2010) a Feasibility Study to find a viable means of both preserving the weir structure and developing the river as a community resource. At the start of 2011, TCRT and the Thomastown and District Angling Association (TDAA) secured LEADER funding to proceed with the weir stabilisation and river development process.

As a result, a series of remedial works were undertaken to stabilise the southern arm of Island Weir and consolidate the northern side of the River Nore, downstream of the weir structure. The remedial works were commissioned by TCRT and TDAA as part of a phased, community-based development of the river area surrounding Island Weir. The completed works constitute the first phase in that process, ensuring that no further deterioration, owing to river erosion, of either the main body of the weir structure or the surrounding river environment will take place.

In order to facilitate the remedial works, and stabilise the southern arm of the weir, it was deemed necessary to remove 11.8m from the remaining in situ section of the weir’s northern arm. The removal of this weir section allowed the central river channel to be widened, which in turn has minimised the erosional processes affecting the southern half of the structure; severe riverbed scouring had been previously noted at a series of locations surrounding the southern side of the weir, undermining both the weir-head and its footings along a c. 20m length.

Prior to any removal taking place, a pre-disturbance survey was undertaken to provide a detailed record of the weir’s northern arm. A detailed plan and elevation of the weir feature were made, supplemented by written and photographic record. Data were also gathered to show the structure in profile. In addition, a visual inspection of the northern riverbank was undertaken to assess its archaeological potential and to record any features present. The removal process was undertaken in a systematic manner, under archaeological direction, and allowed the internal fabric of the structure and its foundations to be recorded. The completion of this phase of archaeological work at the site, coupled with that previously undertaken, constitutes an extensive record of the structure that comprises Island Weir.

[caption id="attachment_36780" align="aligncenter" width="680"] No. 394. River Nore, Island Mill, Burrellspark, Thomastown: plan of northern arm of Island Weir.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_36781" align="aligncenter" width="680"] No. 394. River Nore, Island Mill, Burrellspark, Thomastown: cross-section through weir structure.[/caption]

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