2017:216 - Kilsheelan, Tipperary

Monitoring of works associated with the construction of a watercourse trail was carried out at three locations on the River Suir in Co. Tipperary: at Ardfinnan, Kilsheelan and Suir Island, Clonmel.

At Ardfinnan, works were carried out at five locations: on a backwater channel of the River Suir, to the north-west of the town, on the south side of Ardfinnan Bridge and on the south side of the main river channel, east of the bridge.

Two small areas were excavated on the southern bank of Suir Island, Clonmel under supervision, to facilitate the construction of river access steps. No features of archaeological significance were recorded during monitoring here.

At Kilsheelan an area measuring 12m by 4m was excavated under supervision on the northern bank of the Suir, c. 50m upstream of Kilsheelan Bridge. A well-persevered section of a towpath was revealed 0.5m below the current ground level. It continues beyond the limits of the works area and it is likely that extensive sections of the towpath survive between Carrick on Suir and Clonmel. Historical references to the use of towpaths along this section of the River Suir date as far back as the 16th century. The towpath uncovered in the works area is consistent with the feature illustrated on 19th-century OS maps of Kilsheelan. A 12m section of the towpath and revetment wall were removed in order to facilitate the insertion of the river access steps. The excavated stone from the towpath was reused in the construction of the steps.

The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork