2017:188 - Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme, Cork

Monitoring of Phase 4 of site investigation works associated with the proposed Lower Lee Flood Relief Scheme was undertaken between May and November of 2017. In total, 23 locations were monitored during Phase 4 of geo-technical site investigation works. These investigations comprised 13 boreholes, 7 slit trenches and 3 trial pits. Excluding two slit trenches which were excavated within the zone of notification of the Customs House (CO074-118----), all other monitored site investigations were undertaken within the primary and secondary Zones of Archaeological Potential of Cork City. Five investigations were undertaken along the quays adjacent to the north channel of the River Lee, twelve investigations were undertaken along the quays adjacent to the south channel of the river, with a further six investigations undertaken at more central locations between the two river channels. Only one site investigation was undertaken within the extent of the walled medieval city (4BH039 – Bishop Lucey Park).

The excavation of the trial pits did not expose any sub-surface traces of earlier quay or mooring structures at the investigated locations. The inner face of the quay walls was partially revealed in six locations (4ST025 – Sullivan’s Quay, 4ST026 – Crosse’s Green Quay (South), 4ST027 – Crosse’s Green Quay (North), 4TP003 – Pope’s Quay, TP014 – Hanover St (East), 4TP015 – Hanover St (West)) and generally consisted of the inner facades of the cut limestone blocks which varied from ashlar to more roughly cut varieties. Sub-surface, the quay wall foundations were observed to step outwards beyond their upstanding extent at a number of these locations.

The upper level of the exposed reclamation deposits were regularly disturbed by modern services and contained frequent limestone, sandstone and brick fragments as well as post-medieval and early modern inclusions which, in turn, were contained within combinations of silt and clay matrices. Sub-surface walls dating to the post-medieval period were revealed at Crosse’s Green South (4BH017, 4ST026) and a solid obstruction was encountered during boring of 4BH040 at a depth of 3.5m below modern ground level in St Augustine Street. Although the obstruction was encountered at a significant depth, all of the 16th- and 17th- century maps of Cork depict a tower in the general location of St Augustine Street; foundations of such a tower would likely have extended eastwards beyond the recorded line of the wall and as such a possible association cannot be discounted.

Possible archaeological strata in the form of oyster shell-rich silty clays were revealed at both the northern end of Barracks Street (4BH015) and at Bishop Lucey Park (4BH039); both locations are within the medieval historic core of Cork and excavations in the immediate vicinity of both boreholes uncovered archaeological stratigraphy dating as far back as the late Hiberno-Norse period.

It should be noted that due to the limited areas of site investigations, combined with the safety constraints that precluded close inspection of the exposed stratigraphy, the monitoring of the site investigations was not undertaken as a conclusive archaeological impact assessment but rather to ensure that excavations did not negatively impact on any unrecorded archaeological or built heritage features. Further phases of site investigation works are planned.

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