2021:517 - Bridge Street, Townparks, Cahir, Tipperary

Planning permission was obtained for the construction of an extension to an existing retail business at Bridge Street, Cahir. It was necessary to undertake sub-surface works to accommodate the new extension which were archaeologically monitored due to the site being within the zone of archaeological potential established around the historic town of Cahir (TS075-048). In addition, located c. 80m to the south-east of the development site, there is a fish weir (TS075-048010).

The excavated area for the new extension was small, measuring 23.5m long (east-west) and between 3.3m and 4.7m wide. A raft foundation was used, extending to a maximum depth of 800mm.

Evidence emerged from the excavations that the site had been raised in recent times with an earlier tarred surface exposed 380mm beneath the present one. The reason for the raising of the site was due to recent flooding and accordingly the necessity to raise the level of the driveway and car-park associated with the retail premises. The site is located in the flood plain and only 16m from a section of the diverted river Suir. An examination of earlier OS maps revealed the site was occupied by buildings on the early twentieth-century 25-inch OS series. These buildings have been removed or re-configured into the existing retail unit as apparent by the surviving two–storey house. On the 1840 First Edition OS map the site is on an island, devoid of buildings and structures, between the mill race to the north-west and the river Suir to the south-east.

Substantial infill/deposition, including a thin lime mortar layer, occurred below the earlier tarred surface. At the base of the infilling was a light yellow-brown compact clay. This clay, re-deposited, functioned as a seal across the site, to protect the area from soft riverine deposits beneath, which were previously revealed in an engineering test hole.

At an approximate depth of 600mm below ground level a spread of modern burnt domestic waste was exposed across a substantial part of the site. It had been disturbed by pipe-laying and the building of the existing modern retail unit along its south side, petering out along its north and east end. It is considered the burnt remains were associated with the earlier two-storey house which is now incorporated into the retail premises.

The site of the extension occupies an artificial island within the river Suir. Above the 800mm level the area comprised modern infill/layers and burnt domestic waste above a compact clay which functioned as a sealing layer above the riverine deposits.

17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary