2015:042 - Limerick to Nenagh Gas pipeline, Tipperary

Testing and monitoring were carried out along the Limerick to Nenagh Gas pipeline located in Counties Limerick and Tipperary (OS Sheets LI 63, 41; TN 31, 77, 26, 66). BGN constructed the gas pipeline between Limerick and Nenagh, which followed the existing R445. The pipeline measured c. 31km in length with a nominal diameter of 0.4m and has been constructed underground for its entire length. Construction activities were undertaken within the existing roadway. Trenches were no wider than 1m in width and no deeper than 1.8m.

Originally three areas of archaeological potential (AAP 1-3) were highlighted for advance testing. Due to changes in design no works were undertaken in AAP 1; test trenching was carried out at two locations in advance of main trenching. In AAP 2 a 55m trench was excavated, within the pipeline footprint, along the periphery of church and graveyard (TN025-077001/2). In AAP 3 a 40m long trench was excavated within the footprint of the pipeline in roadway across the northern extent of enclosure TN025-063. Testing failed to identify any in situ features of archaeological significance within the pipeline footprint. No further mitigation is required for these areas.

Originally six areas of archaeological potential (AAP) were highlighted for monitoring. Due to changes in design no works were undertaken in AAP 1. Continuous monitoring was carried out during all groundworks in AAPs 2–6.

Two features of interest were recorded during the course of monitoring in AAP 5, Tullahedy townland. The first represented a mortared stone hump-back bridge that was identified beneath the current roadway. The bridge culverts a stream beneath the road and both the stream and bridge are identified on the first edition O.S map suggesting that they pre-date the mid-1800s. The pipeline trench was widened at the location and the pipe was laid to the north of the bridge structure. There was no direct negative impact on the bridge.

The second feature was a stone wall foundation identified to the west of the bridge but not directly associated with it. The wall was identified in the northern section of the pipe trench only and was interpreted as a former boundary wall for an earlier road which had subsequently been widened to the north. It is likely that further elements of the wall foundations continue for a substantial distance beneath the present roadway to the east and west but are located to the north of the pipe trench and were not evident during the current works. The identified sections of wall were not impacted upon by the current development.

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