2012:369 - River Nore and Little Arrigle River, Newtown Jerpoint, Thomastown, Kilkenny

The underwater archaeological investigation of the River Nore and its tributary the Little Arrigle River at the nationally important Deserted Medieval Settlement of Newtown Jerpoint (KK028-062) was undertaken as a research project that combined voluntary and professional input from two project partners, including members of the Thomastown Community River Trust (TCRT) and personnel from the Archaeological Diving Company Ltd (ADCO). The project is a recipient of the Heritage Council’s Grant Award Scheme (Grant Reference: R02764).
Newtown Jerpoint is located c. 3km south-west of Thomastown, located in south-east Co. Kilkenny. The deserted settlement is situated at a point that lies between the Little Arrigle River to the east, and the River Nore to the north. Standing remains within the settlement site include St Nicholas’ Church, whose construction lies between the 13th and the 15th century, and a secular stone-built tower of medieval date. Buried archaeological remains are also visible within the landscape and include burgage plots, field boundaries, house plots, and associated streetscapes. Considerable attention has been given to the site over the years, most recently culminating in the Heritage Council sponsored Heritage Conservation Plan for Newtown Jerpoint.
The current project has provided a comprehensive archaeological assessment and investigation of the River Nore, and its tributary the Little Arrigle River, as it flows through the borough of Newtown Jerpoint. The River Nore assessment area extends from a point 67m upstream of the settlement to a point 190m downstream, focusing on the site of the medieval bridge that once crossed the River Nore on the northern side of Newtown Jerpoint. The visual assessment of the Little Arrigle River encompassed a 390m stretch of the waterway as it flows past Jerpoint Mill to its confluence with the River Nore. As part of this survey, all features, structures, or deposits relating to the adaption of the waterway for extractive industry were recorded. An underwater metal-detection survey was also carried out to assess the archaeological potential of the riverbed across a 50m section of the river. In addition to visual assessment, the project undertook test-excavation of the bridge remains encountered within the River Nore survey area. This targeted excavation work assisted in the detailed recording of the bridge site and allowed assessment of the potential presence of medieval bridge remains, buried within the build-up of riverbed deposits, to be made.
The above constitutes the first archaeological work to be carried out at these locations and the investigation has provided evidence of the presence of extant bridge remains within the River Nore, situated a short distance to the north of the site. In-water survey identified and recorded a series of substantial areas of bonded masonry collapse, forming different components of the original bridge-build (intrados, arch-wall, etc.). Moreover, the excavation work has established that collapsed bridge material is present at depth within the build-up of riverbed deposits at this location indicating that bridge foundations remain in situ, buried beneath the masonry collapse.
Archaeological evidence relating to construction date and subsequent lifespan of the bridge is limited at present. However, the presence of Blackware within the mortar matrix of one of the sections of bridge collapse suggests that a bridge structure was not only standing in the 1600s, but may have also undergone repair during that time.
The comprehensive survey of the Little Arrigle River has provided evidence of the past management of the waterway, in the form of extensive river channelling, and a series of a riverine features have been recorded at this location. However, at this juncture, it is unclear if these relate specifically to the industrial period or have their origin in the establishment of milling activity as part of the earlier settlement of Newtown Jerpoint.
A small assemblage of archaeological finds was also recovered as part of the investigation, predominately dating to the late 17th century. The finds assemblage includes lead shot, an iron skillet, Blackware, Red Glazed Earthenware (decorated using a trailed-slip design that mimics 17th-century North Devon Sgraffitto Ware), and a silver shoe buckle with Tudor style floral motifs. The latter artefact has a hallmark that depicts a crown placed above an Irish harp, a diagnostic feature designating that the silver was assayed through the Dublin Assay Office (established 1637). Examination of the relevant reference tables has provided two possible dates ranges for the find, the first being 1714-1716 and the second 1739-1752.
A detailed technical report has been submitted to the DAHG, the National Museum of Ireland, the Underwater Archaeology Unit, and the Heritage Council of Ireland. In addition, a number of articles outlining the results of the project are to be published and the continued investigation of the bridge site is also planned; future investigation providing additional information regarding bridge topology, date of construction, and the manner of its eventual removal.
The on-site investigation was undertaken between 17 and 22 September 2012.

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