2011:413 - ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL, Limerick

Test trenching was undertaken in advance of a development at St Mary’s Cathedral, Bridge Street, King’s Island, Limerick, in May 2011. The proposed development consists of the removal of a redundant boiler and the installation of a new floor within the boiler room. This will accommodate a new toilet block at ground-floor level. Associated drainage from this will be directed along the south transept/vestry wall into a manhole within the rear yard. The existing wall-mounted gas pipe will be buried within the new pipe trench. A new single-storey porch will be constructed directly to the east of the boiler room. A new opening in the vestry wall will allow access to the porch and boiler room.

All trenches were excavated by hand to the top of archaeological deposits or to a depth of 1.5m below surface level. Archaeological features and deposits were identified within four of the five excavated trenches. Within Trenches 3 and 4 at least three inhumations were identified, with the location of a brick-lined grave/tomb, exposed by Brian Hodkinson during a season of excavations in 1992 (Excavations 1992, no. 127), confirmed within Trench 5. A number of disarticulated human bones were noted, suggesting that further unidentified burials are located within the vicinity. A cobbled surface and a revetment wall were evidence of 19th-century remodelling of the graveyard, with a number of service pipes highlighting more recent truncation. All skeletal remains were examined on site by Linda Lynch, osteoarchaeologist.

Following on from the test excavations carried out in May 2011, an excavation was carried out in December 2011 within the area of the proposed toilet block extension. A brick-lined tomb was excavated, which contained the remains of a coffin and single skeleton.

This grave/tomb was covered by a large stone slab. Removal of this slab exposed a single coffin placed within the tomb. An engraved metal plate on the lid of the coffin contained the name, date and age of the individual, namely ‘Emily Sharman Died 30^th May 1858 Aged 29 years’. The coffin was in a state of decomposition and the lid and sides had collapsed onto the skeletal remains. The wooden frame of the coffin originally appeared to have been covered with fabric and decorated with metal furnishings. While apparently well preserved in situ, it proved to be extremely friable on removal. The coffin lid was removed, exposing the skeletal remains. The skeleton had been placed within the coffin in an extended supine position, with extended arms and legs. The hands were placed on either side of the body. Remains of clothing in the form of buttons, ribbons and hair netting were found, also in a fragile state. Underneath the skull a concentration of wood shavings was noted, possibly indicating the remains of a cushion or pillow. The skeletal remains were in a degraded and fragile state. The base of the tomb consisted of a lime mortar floor. The maximum depth of excavation was 1.5m. The skeletal remains were excavated under the supervision of Linda Lynch. It is intended that the remains will be reinterred elsewhere in the grounds of the cathedral.

ÆGIS Archaeology Ltd, 32 Nicholas Street, King’s Island, Limerick