2016:669 - KINSALE: Abbey-Lands, Butchers Row, Cork

The development site is located on Butchers Row in the north-west part of the historic town of Kinsale (CO112-0340001). It is situated within the zone of archaeological potential established around the historic town, inside the associated medieval town walls. The site was occupied by a dwelling house with a small garden to the rear (east) and grassed area to the front (west). The site is bound to the west and north by a boundary wall and to the east and south by adjoining properties.

Pre-development testing of a permitted development site at Butcher’s Row, Abbey-Lands was undertaken at the request of the planning authority. The development consists of the demolition of existing extensions to a dwelling house and the construction of new extensions, modifications to all elevations and associated site works.

The excavation of four test trenches on the site revealed the presence of a number of archaeological features. At the rear of the existing dwelling a possible pit (F1) dating to the medieval period was exposed in Trench 2 at a depth of 1.2m below present ground level. It was proposed to utilise a series of screw piles and an associated ground beam for the foundation in this area. A total of 8 piles were used which measure c. 0.25m in diameter. They are widely spaced, the average distance between them being between 2m and 4m. The screw piles were designed so as not to impact directly on F1, the nearest screw pile being located c. 0.6m to the south-east. The associated ground beams which rest on the top of the piles require ground disturbance to a maximum depth of between 0.4m and 0.73m below p.g.l. This allows the preservation in situ of F1 and any other possible associated features which may exist on the site in this area. The use of this type of foundation ensures a buffer of at least 0.5m of material between the base of the ground beam and the top of the underlying archaeology.

At the front (west) of the site two stone drains of unknown date were exposed in Trench 3. Both drains were recorded and removed within the confines of the test trench. It was also proposed to utilise a raft foundation in this area. Ground disturbance to a depth of c. 0.5-0.6m was required for the raft foundation and ensured the preservation in situ of a stone wall which was noted in the south baulk of Trench 3. Given that the stone drains were located in this area it was also proposed to monitor the ground disturbance associated with the raft foundation in this location.

Monitoring was also carried out under the same licence in 2016 and no archaeological features were exposed as the design allowed the preservation in situ of the features exposed in the test trenches.