2015:118 - THOMASTOWN: Brook House, Kilkenny

The proposed development area is located within the zone of archaeological potential for Thomastown (KK029-040). Testing took place to the rear of Brook House in January 2015. Seven trenches were excavated across the site. No remains of the medieval town wall, which was thought to cross the proposed development area, were identified. The trenches identified evidence of four possible post-medieval tanning pits. Three of these were of mortared stone wall construction and one was probably timber lined. A later cobbled yard to the immediate north of Brook House was also identified.

It is probable that excavations associated with the construction of the proposed residential units will have a direct negative impact on the features identified as forming part of the post medieval century tanning complex. The probable remains of at least four tanning pits have been identified at the site, and further remains may exist outside the area of the test trenches.