2015:155 - Munster Hotel, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Tipperary

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Tipperary Site name: Munster Hotel, Cathedral Street, Thurles

Sites and Monuments Record No.: TN041-042- Licence number: 15E0561

Author: Paul Stevens

Site type: Urban-early modern/post-medieval/medieval possible

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 630967m, N 658706m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.678628, -7.542048

Archaeological and building assessment was carried out in advance of a proposed extension to the carpark into the garden area of the former hotel. Work forms part of the re-development of the ‘Munster Hotel’ into a medical centre and ground floor retail outlet. Testing took place in late December 2015. Work that also included a building recording and survey of the east garden wall was carried out in fulfillment of Planning (Condition 5, Ref. 15/600305). The site is located within the Zone of Archaeological Potential for Thurles, and opposite the site of a medieval friary. The occupying building to be retained and renovated dates to 1999, when an extensive programme of excavation revealed extensive medieval and post-medieval urban features, deposits and artefacts across the site area (see Excavations 1998:625; 1999:835; Stevens 2003). Testing revealed that a number of features and deposits survive across the garden area, similar to the burgage plots discovered in 1999, at depths of between 0.6–1.1m below existing ground level. Modern disturbance from refuse pits and underground services was also encountered. Survey of the eastern garden wall bounding the site shows this is mainly of original fabric, as depicted on 1840 and later OS maps. Two later modern alterations: an entranceway and doorway insertion relate to the 1999 development. The wall foundations sit on an earlier co-linear boundary ditch, possibly marking a medieval burgage plot boundary. Resolution including preservation in situ or by record is recommended, and further archaeological work is expected.

References:
Stevens, P. (2003) ‘The Munster Hotel’, Cathedral Street, Thurles: Archaeological excavations 1998-1999. Tipperary Historical Journal. Thurles, 9-30.

15 Roselawn, Bolton Woods, Callan, Co Kilkenny