2019:449 - Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme - Clareabbey and Clonroad More, Clare

Archaeological investigations at Clareabbey and Clonroad More were carried out as part of the construction of the Ennis South Flood Relief Scheme, County Clare. Monitoring of topsoil stripping (under licence 19E0248) revealed several brick production sites, in addition to a brick kiln that had been discovered during testing in 2015 (under this consent, directed by M. Byrne). The works were undertaken under consent as the site is close to Clare Abbey (CL033-120----) which is a National Monument.

Eight rectangular areas, measuring between 13m2 and 480m2, were excavated on alluvial clays on the western bank of the River Fergus behind the existing flood embankment and backdrain.

The excavation revealed evidence of at least seven principle areas of brick-making activity (clamps/kilns) and three areas of brick rubble dump. The clamps consisted of series of parallel benches (rows of bricks) with intermediate layers of burning (ash). The benches were formed by set placements of bricks constructed directly onto the natural alluvium. Several linear cut features were identified beneath the clamps and most were interpreted as probable drainage features except for deeper linear features at one of the clamps that may have been used as brick dumps or clay pits. The brick clamps broadly displayed three phases of activity, with the exception of one that had four phases of use. The brick dumps each had one phase. All the activity would appear to date to the post-medieval period.

The fuel utilised during the firing process consisted primarily of peat and turf with some coal also identified. The bricks recovered from the kilns are hand-made, rectangular, and un-frogged in form, with colours that vary from a pale reddish orange to mid grey, with the harder bricks tending towards grey colours. The features of the recovered bricks from the Clareabbey samples are indicative of 18th -century hand-made common bricks. It must be considered that the majority of bricks recovered from the site are waster bricks as they were either under- or over-fired and that those that were well-fired were incomplete or damaged, meaning the sample is made up of bricks that were never intended for sale. The average size of the bricks is comparable to dimensions laid out in a 1730 Act of Parliament and is typical for bricks of this period.

The clamps, with one exception, appear to have been single-use structures. No definitive evidence was found for clay pits or moulding or drying activities nor were any associated dwellings or domestic structures or features identified. Clay and fuel were easily accessible here and the location of the clamps adjacent to the river allowed for river transport of the finished products. These clamps are evidence of a substantial post-medieval brick industry to the immediate south of Ennis, Co. Clare.

Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare