County: Limerick Site name: Corrabul (Skagh), Croom
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0601
Author: Niall Gregory
Site type: 19th century-workhouse location
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 551741m, N 642087m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.528003, -8.711214
The client, HSE, is constructing a new car park and associated site works at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. These works are governed under emergency legislation and as a consequence form a high-priority State construction (Building Control Act 1990 (Section 5) Order 2020 SI No 112 of 2020 & EMPI (COVID-19) Act 2020). The site was the location of Croom Workhouse, dating to 1851. Archaeologically monitored construction works commenced on 6 September 2021 and continued in a phased manner to 14 December 2021.
The work entailed surface preparation and preparatory ground works located at the north-east quadrant of the existing hospital. The site was extensively built on with tarmac surfaces throughout and recently-demolished buildings on the footprint of the site of development. Some elements are retained, namely mid- to late 20th-century mortuary and original 1850's mortuary; the 1880's fever hospital and 1920's nurses home have recently been demolished. While there are tarmac surfaces to the west and form part of the site, grassed or garden areas are situated to the east of the demolished buildings.
The ground works entail mechanical excavation at maximum depths of up to 400mm for the most part, more typically being approximately 300mm. Linear elements within the scope of work will be box trench excavations for services – up to 600mm for drainage and 1000m for electricity ducts (400m width box trenches) with light stands etc. being up to 1600m depth. Manhole locations were up to 2000mm in depth and entailed similarly deep connecting elements.
No archaeology (or human remains) have been found to date and the works is scheduled to continue in early 2022.
Dunburbeg, Clonmel Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
