2021:285 - CASHEL: St. Francisabbey (St. John the Baptist Church), Friar Street, Tipperary

Floor removal of the church sacristy and external acro drain abutting the sacristy was archaeologically monitored on 20 November 2020 and on site of the Franciscan Friary. A single 0.3m wide box trench 0.4m in depth and 22m in length was mechanically excavated. The stratigraphy revealed tarmac surface, an underlying bedding layer and yellow sandy silt with extensive building debris and mortar content for the reminder of the trench’s depth. This material is associated with disturbance and construction of the sacristy. A collection of partial and disarticulated human remains were found at 607872 640568, of at least three individuals. They were all gathered and deposited together. No other material of archaeological deposits was encountered.

In 2021 the remains were carbon dated and assessed by an osteo-archaeologist; it was noted they were the partial remains up to the five individuals. One molar appeared to retain tobacco staining. The remains were dated to 1519 to 1538 AD.