2014:244 - Plot 2, 35 Nicholas Street, Limerick, Limerick

The subject site is bounded by the remains of a medieval building, LI005-017006, on its south side and a vacant dwelling house on its north side. The plots are separated by wall which extends to the rear of the plot. An arched doorway was found in the wall adjoining the medieval building, which is medieval in date, however it was determined after the testing that this was not in its original position and the boundary wall was built on top of an earlier (probably medieval) wall. The entire site was covered in concrete which was removed prior to excavation. A total of six trenches were excavated.  

Trench 1 (2.9m north-west/south-east by 1.1m, depth 1.6m) contained a substantial amount of fill material The remains of a wall was found within the south-east facing side of the trench. A date could not be ascertained for this wall.  

Trench 2 (7m by 1.2m east-west, depth 1.9m) contained several layers of disturbed rubble fills. At a depth of 1.9m loose dark grey silt containing occasional inclusions of stones and oyster shells possible represents archaeological activity on the site. This layer was not excavated.  

Trench 3 (7.6m by 1.2m east-west, depth 1.8m) contained modern rubble fills of brick and mortar. The upper fill was disturbed by a modern drain which re-used a medieval stone water spout (1.4m in length). A stone culvert was also noted at a high level within the trench, and thus is probable early modern in date.  

Trench 4 (2.2m by 1.35m east-west, depth 0.7m) was located at the base of the arched medieval doorway in the southern wall of the plot. It was found that this door was not in its original location. The fill of the trench consisted of mortar stones and brick.  

Trench 5 (2m by 1.6m east-west, depth 1.5m) was positioned to examine the base of the southern boundary wall of the plot. The fill of the trench consisted of mortar stones and brick.  

Trench 6 (5m by 1.2m north-west/south-east, depth 1.8m) contained fills of brick, stone and mortar. An early modern wall was indentified.  

In two of the Test Trenches (Trenches 1 and 4) the remains of a wall were uncovered 0.5m below the ground level. This wall abutted the upstanding southern boundary of the plot, indicating it was later in date, possibly suggesting a post-medieval date. No artefacts or other datable material was recovered. The remaining test trenches did not reveal any medieval layers subsurface. It is possible that earlier structures on this site may have had basements which may have removed any medieval layers. However, as no stray medieval artefacts were encountered it is also possible that contemporary medieval undercrofts may have been located here in the medieval period as has been found elsewhere. The testing reached a depth of approximately 1.8m below present ground level. It is possible that archaeological layers may occur beneath this level.

Aegis Archaeology Ltd, 32 Nicholas St, King's Island, Limerick