2014:130 - Gardens, St Francis' Abbey Brewery, Kilkenny

Monitoring of riverbank remediation works at the junction of the River Nore and the River Breagagh, within the grounds of Smithwick’s St Francis' Abbey Brewery, Kilkenny City was carried out on behalf of Diageo Limited from 12 September to 8 October 2014. This work was carried out in conjunction with Ministerial Consent Variation C607 issued to Eamon Kehoe of Shaffrey Associates Architects, for works in relation to Evans Tower.

Monitoring of all excavation works was carried out and the spoil was spread for inspection and metal detection for retrieval of any finds. Monitoring was also carried out for any potential impacts on Evans Tower, including vibration impacts from the piling of the coffer dams.

The continuation of a stone wall which adjoined the north-east corner of the tower was partly visible prior to the excavation works and was further exposed in a shallow dig area between the coffer dams and the tower. The wall appeared to be a riverbank revetment and was exposed for a length of 1.6m and depth of 1.1m and and was oriented north-west/south-east. It continued beyond the excavation area to the south-east and remains in situ. It is not clear whether this wall was contemporary with the tower or not. Average dimensions of the stones were 0.45m x 0.2m and five rough courses were uncovered, with the wall extending below the depth of the excavation. After cleaning and photographing, the wall was covered in a layer of terram and the excavation area was backfilled with clean stone.

The inspection and metal detection of the excavated spoil did not produce any finds of archaeological interest. No adverse impacts resulting from piling were observed on the tower.

Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy, Lynwood House, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16