2012:560 - Knockanenin/Borrisland South/Gorteeny/Farneybridge/Archerstown/Glenreagh Beg/Lisnagrough/Glenreagh More/Holycross/Cloghmartin/Cormackstown/Beakstown, Tipperary

An extensive programme of testing is required as part of the Thurles Water Supply Scheme. There are ten test areas in total, all of which are located in close proximity to recorded monuments. Of the ten areas, two are located within greenfield areas (Farneybridge and Holycross), with the remaining areas located within the existing roadways. To date testing has been carried out at three locations. In October 2012 five trenches were excavated within the path of the pipeline wayleave where it passes to the immediate south of enclosure site TN041-054 within the townland of Farneybridge (Test Area 4). No features of archaeological significance were identified during the course of works.
In November 2012 testing was carried out at Test Areas 7 and 8. Assessment at Test Area 7 (Lisnagrough/Glenreagh More) consisted of the excavation of two trenches on the verge of the existing roadway, where the path of the proposed pipeline passes to the immediate east of enclosure TN046-009. Each trench measured 10m in length and was 1.2m wide. No features of archaeological potential were identified in either of the trenches.
Assessment in Test Area 8 (Holycross) consisted of the excavation of two parallel trenches within the wayleave of the proposed pipeline. Each trench measured 350m in length and was 1.8m wide. The trenches crossed two fields and were bordered by the River Suir to the east. The wayleave of the proposed pipeline runs to the north of an area that was subject to geophysical survey in 2006 (06R187, GeoArc Ltd). The survey identified a large amount of potential archaeological features, including circular enclosures and field systems likely associated with early medieval and medieval activity at Holycross.
A series of parallel shallow linear features with an east-west orientation were recorded along the length of the test trenches within the western field. These features were parallel to the current southern field boundary and are interpreted as modern plough furrows. In the centre of the field a small cluster of four shallow linear features were identified with a north-east/south-west orientation. These also probably relate to ploughing based on the shallow depth but were noted due to their different orientation to the other furrows identified.
A number of features were noted in the eastern field. Two linear ditch/gully features were recorded in the south-west corner of the field. The first was recorded for 17m from the western field boundary and was 0.8m wide x 0.3m deep and orientated north-west/south-east. The second was located 7m further east and is a minimum of 11m long (continuing beyond the test trench in both directions), 2m wide x 0.45m (min) deep with a north-north-west/south-south-east orientation. Their fills were sterile loamy clays. It was unclear if the two features were conjoined as this particular area of the trench was left unexcavated to allow farm access.
As the wayleave crossed the central portion of the field (c. 80m from the west boundary) there is a noticeable gravel ridge approximately 15m wide identifiable in the subsoil. The land to the east falls away sharply towards the River Suir. The central area of the gravel ridge shows evidence of some disturbance, possibly a large shallow pit, with animal bone evident within the fills. It is notable that no animal bone was recorded in any other areas of testing. On either side of the gravel ridge there is a possible ditch/gully orientated roughly north-east/south-west 1m wide and 0.35m deep. It is likely that these linear features represent the remains of field systems which were identified to the south of the wayleave during the geophysical survey. No diagnostic items were retrieved and as such it is not clear as to the date of the features. Further investigation will take place in 2013.
An updated summary will be issued once works within all ten test areas are completed.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.