2012:572 - TYONE AND NENAGH NORTH, Tipperary

Test trenching was undertaken to investigate and assess the archaeological potential of a site located at Nenagh Leisure Centre, Dublin Road, Nenagh, County Tipperary. The proposed development involves the refurbishment and extension of Nenagh Leisure Centre and provision of a new town park. The site measures 2.35ha and is located within the townlands of Toyne and Nenagh North. Much of the site is located on an island with the Nenagh River forming the northern and western boundaries and a small diversion of this river forming the southern boundary. A section of the site will also be located to the north of the Nenagh River though this area was not tested.

The excavation of 11 test trenches was carried out in September 2012 with substantial deposits of topsoil material identified which was, in places, overlaid by redeposited clay. An area of modern disturbance located at the south-west of the site had removed much of the topsoil deposits. Three small linear features were discovered at the east of the site though no evidence of date or function was forthcoming. The former course of the Nenagh River was also identified at the north of the site as evidenced by two palaeochannels.