2017:563 - ENNIS: Ennis Friary Car Park, Cusack Park, Clonroad Beg, Clare

Monitoring of the demolition of an orchard wall, remains of five cottages and topsoil stripping relating to the provision of car parking for Cusack Park GAA grounds was undertaken between 7 to 17 March 2017, under ministerial consent C790. The site lies within an area locally known as an orchard and it is likely that it once formed part of the precincts of the friary. The site is located within the zone of potential for CL033-082—- Historic Town of Ennis and to the east of a seventeenth-century house (CL033-082034- and RPS E35) incorporated into the Cloister Bar, and the Franciscan Friary (CL033-0801—Religious House and RPS E36), which is also a National Monument. The wall and cottages were recorded in written, photographic and drawn form prior to demolition. A number of architectural fragments were found during the demolition which were retrieved, recorded, and have been placed in the Friary for local safe keeping in agreement with the OPW as several of these likely originated from the medieval friary. No other archaeological features were discovered during the works.