County: Cork Site name: St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Rd, Ballinlough
Sites and Monuments Record No.: C0074-094 Licence number: 19E0281
Author: John O'Connor for Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd
Site type: Test trenching
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 568156m, N 570864m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.889031, -8.462613
A programme of archaeological test trenching was undertaken at St. Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork between 27 and 31 August 2020. These works were undertaken for MCA Architects on behalf of the HSE.
The proposed development site is located on the grounds of the present St Finbarr’s Hospital complex in Cork City. The c.5,929 m2 site is currently occupied by two large parking lots and a greenfield area with mature trees. This sits within the bounds of St Finbarr’s hospital which also contain several historically significant buildings related to the Union workhouse (C0074-094) and its development into a hospital. The site is on the grounds of what was originally the Union workhouse. The grounds contain several structures of historic and cultural significance. The northern edge of the proposed development abuts structures originally used as a school and a fever hospital. According to cartographic sources the site included some structures in 1899, no longer visible above ground. Currently the site is occupied by 2 carparks and an area of grass and mature trees.
The programme of archaeological testing comprised the excavation of twelve trenches with a total length of 169.5 linear metres. These trenches were excavated within the footprint of the proposed development to assess the potential for subsurface archaeological remains. Constraints on the testing array comprised of numerous services running under and over ground, identified asbestos locations and several mature tree root protection areas, all of which limited the available trenching area.
Several sections of wall foundations and footings, culvert capstones and inactive services were uncovered. These walls appear to represent buildings and boundary walls marked on the historic maps, specifically the 25-inch map and Cassini 6-inch map.
Unit 2, Europa Business Park, Midleton, Co. Cork, P25 TV25
