2011:567 - CLONMEL: Sarsfield Street, Tipperary

Testing was undertaken on Sarsfield Street, Clonmel, under ministerial consent in order to investigate the potential for the remains of town walls. Testing was carried out in advance of the Suir River (Clonmel North and East) Drainage Scheme—Civil Works Contract. The footprint of the proposed pipeline route was located within the historic confines of the town of Clonmel (TS083-019) and close to the predicted line of the town defences (TS083-019049).

Three test trenches were excavated on 12 and 13 January 2011. Two of the trenches were excavated to determine the presence or absence of the medieval town walls within the wayleave of the pipeline. The third trench was excavated to determine the presence or absence of medieval deposits on the interior of the town walls. The only feature of archaeological significance recorded in the three test trenches was a north–south-running stone-built drainage culvert recorded in Trenches 2 and 3. Evidence of ground disturbance to facilitate modern services was also recorded.

The main contractor on the flood relief scheme hopes to place the proposed flood relief pipeline within the area of existing disturbance. If this plan is successful, the flood relief works will have no adverse effect on any archaeological features or deposits. It was recommended, however, that all ground disturbances associated with the proposed development be monitored.