2014:002 - Clonroad More Waste Water Treatment Plant, Ennis, Clare

The waste water treatment plant at Clonroad More, Ennis, is near the assumed location of the royal residence of the O’Brien Kings of Thomond who moved from Limerick to Cluain Ramhfada (Clonroad) in AD 1216. The royal residence, castle and friary that the O’Briens built were the seed of the town of Ennis. The royal residence and castle are no longer present as above ground structures.

The original construction works at the waste water treatment plant in 1941 was archaeologically examined (Hunt 1946) and unstratified medieval and post-medieval artefacts and human bone were recovered, mostly from excavated spoil. Archaeological features in the form of stone paving and ‘ashy’ deposits were also noted. The excavation area has been listed under the Record of Monuments and Places as CL033-086.

Test trenching was carried out at the site in 2012 (2012:079) but no archaeological features or deposits were identified and it was apparent that the site had been subject to significant remodelling during construction and use of the water treatment works.

Redevelopment of the plant was carried out in 2014 and on 22 September parts of the development area were stripped by a 13-tonne tracked excavator fitted with a 6-foot toothless grading bucket. Most of the stripping had been carried out prior to the archaeologist’s arrival on site, however it was possible to observe the underlying deposits where soil had been removed. Typically the topsoil was approximately 0.2m thick and overlay disturbed ground consisting of mixed topsoil and subsoil. Where the natural subsoil was visible it could be seen to be light brownish grey clay with stone inclusions.

No archaeological, features, deposits or finds were discovered.

Hunt, J, 1946, ‘Clonroad More, Ennis’, The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 76, 195-209.

TVAS (Ireland) Ltd, AHISH, BALLINRUAN, CRUSHEEN, CO. CLARE