2013:085 - Gardens, Kilkenny, Kilkenny

Monitoring of geotechnical site investigation works was carried out at St Francis' Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny City in two phases. Ground Investigation works were undertaken to establish if contamination has occurred on the site. Monitoring was carried out by Mark Moraghan (Licence Ref: 13E0270, Consent Ref: C607) (Phase 1) and Gill McLoughlin (Licence Ref: 13E0270 ext.) (Phase 2), on behalf of Diageo Limited. Smithwick’s St Francis' Abbey Brewery, is located in Kilkenny city centre on the western bank of the River Nore. The brewery is over 300 years old and is considered to be the oldest active brewery in Ireland. It also contains National Monuments such as St Francis' Abbey, a standing section of the town wall and Evan’s turret as well as other important recorded monuments. The brewery is located within the area of archaeological potential for Kilkenny City (KK019-026---) and also located within the City Centre and St Canice’s Architectural Conservation Areas.

Phase 1 of the monitoring commenced at the site on 23 September and lasted for six days. A total of 18 window samples and 3 boreholes were mechanically investigated and monitored. Phase 2 of the monitoring commenced on 10 December and lasted for 3 days. A total of 10 test pits were mechanically excavated and monitored. A programme of river bed/river bank “grab sampling” was also monitored. A possible stone wall oriented south-west/north-east of unknown date was indicated by the presence of some large stones at the north end of TP02 and soils in TP01, TP06 and TP10 identified between 1.35-2.5m, 1.95-2.25m and 1.8-2.2m below present ground level respectively, may represent post-medieval or later soils. Nothing of archaeological interest was identified in any of the other test pits, boreholes or grab sample locations.

Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy, 65 Mountain View Drive, Boghall Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow