2014:198 - CORK: South Presentation Convent, Cork

Planning permission was granted for property in the ownership of the Presentation Order. The convent grounds lie in a historic part of Cork City within the Zone of Archaeological Potential (CO074-122), established on the basis of the area to which the city had expanded on or before 1700 AD. The site forms a clearly defined triangular unit bounded on three sides by streets: Evergreen Street, Abbey Street/Douglas Street and Nicholas Street. Topographically the ground slopes from south-south-west to north-east with a difference of over 12m between the highest and lowest parts. The site is characterised by changes of level, with three significant terraces/slopes or connecting flights of steps. Within the area subject to the testing a difference in height of 3.7m occurred between the upper and lower levels.

Testing was undertaken at the western apex of the site where development was likely to involve significant impacts below ground level. A difference of over 6m existed from the Evergreen Street frontage and Abbey Street frontage with a height difference of 3.7m internally. The proposals involved a split-level building; i.e. the Evergreen Street frontage will be entered at a higher level from the entrance at the Abbey Street/Douglas Street.

The test trenches were at significantly different levels, with three trenches on the higher levels fronting Evergreen Street and four on the lower level fronting Abbey Street.

The layout of the site reflected the natural topography and the strata present in the ground were also influenced by this. On the upper level of the site the ground slopes from south to north by as much as 3m, at first steeply and then levelling off over the greater part of the area. Most of the surface was covered by tarmac and gravel was used to level-up the ground below this. There was a greater depth at the northern end of the area. Similarly, the underlying layer of silt was much deeper at the northern end (up to a maximum of 1.1m) and this tapered out towards the south. All the finds from the layer of silt were of 19th- and early 20th-century date. Several large quarried limestone boulders may be derived from a demolished building but there was no evidence for in situ walls or foundations and the stone may have been brought on to the site as part of an introduced fill.