2017:327 - Adare Manor, Adare, Limerick

Excavation of part of the medieval town was undertaken at the entrance to Adare Manor on the eastern side of the N21 to the north of Adare town. The site was revealed during monitoring for widening of the existing entrance to Adare Manor in April 2017 and excavated from May to September. The excavated area is located approximately 60m from the entrance of the Augustinian religious house (LI021-032006-) which is located on the western side of the N21. The site was excavated in three phases to facilitate construction of a new boundary wall set back from the N21, new landscaping and planting and realigned access roads.

Medieval deposits, suggesting occupation during the late 13th/early 14th century, were revealed sealed beneath an extensive deposit of post-medieval and medieval agricultural soil in which post-medieval and medieval finds were revealed. Below this, a number of pits, deposits and linear features were revealed extending 33m east of the existing N21. Clearly defined structural remains were not revealed, however small portions of partially-truncated sections of slot trenches at the western end of the site, close to the road, front tentatively suggest the presence of structural remains. The former street front area probably lies under the N21 which has been widened on a number of occasions.

The western portion of the trench adjoining the N21 within Adare Manor had been subject to extensive ground disturbance and deposits in this area were significantly compromised prior to excavation. In excess of 20 large pits were revealed in the trench a number of which were intercutting. The largest of the pits were in excess of 2m diameter and up to 2m deep. Large quantities of animal bone and pottery were found in the pits; these were generally locally made wares with small quantities of Saintonge and other imported wares also present. Occasional metal and stone objects were also found.

A linear slot trench, running east from the western end of the trench, extended along the length of the trench, suggesting the presence of a property boundary. This did not extend into the area of disturbance adjacent to the road front but it was slightly re-aligned and recut suggesting it was an enduring feature on the site.

Dating of the site is based on ceramic finds revealed in sealed contexts. The deposits and finds revealed suggest intensive occupation over a relatively limited time. It was noteworthy that later medieval and post-medieval finds were largely absent from the cut features on the site but present in the overlying agricultural layer which sealed the site, suggesting the settlement was abandoned and the land reverted to agricultural use during the later medieval period.

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