2022:919 - River Nore, Troyswood, Kilkenny, Kilkenny

Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment (UAIA) was undertaken of the River Nore at Troyswood, Co. Kilkenny, where an upgrade to the existing Troyswood Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is to take place. These works include the installation of a new raw-water intake and associated structures on the west bank of the River Nore, located at ITM 649055E, 660159N (centrepoint).

Improvement to the existing Troyswood WTP is being undertaken as part of the Kilkenny City Regional Water Supply Scheme Upgrade (KCRWSS), a project which comprises the installation of c. 3km of underground rising watermain (450mmØ pipe) between the Troyswood and Radestown water treatment plants, the Troyswood Plant being upgraded and expanded, while the Radestown Plant is to be decommissioned.

The UAIA comprised systematic visual inspection of River Nore, extending 40m upstream and 100m downstream of the river impact location, ITM 649056E, 660202N - ITM 649105E, 660081N. The assessment also sought to provide a detailed account of riverbed topography, to assess the potential of riverbed deposits to retain archaeological material, and identify any additional features/structures of archaeological or historic significance that may be present. This work included a walkover survey of the attendant bank structures. In addition, targeted metal-detection was employed to help assess the bankside/riverbed area and highlight any metallic concentrations present.

No archaeologically significant features, structures, or deposits were encountered in the immediate area surrounding the proposed bankside/river impact. However, a number of riverine features were identified in the wider survey area:

• Feature 1 (ITM 649094E, 660153N), artificial channel running north-south on east side of the River Nore, conjoining with the river at a point 60m upstream of Features 2 and 3. Feature depicted on OS historic mapping.
• Feature 2a (ITM 649078E, 660110N), in situ remains from a nineteenth-century weir structure; 8m section located on west side of the river, at a point 55m downstream from the river impact area.
• Feature 2b (ITM 660103E, 660103N – 649130E, 660079N), scatter of masonry debris from a nineteenth-century weir structure (Feature 2); debris field extends full width of the river, roughly in line with structure as depicted on the OS historic mapping.
• Feature 3 (TM 649140E, 660076N), mouth of a millrace, located on the east side of the river as depicted on OS historic mapping.

Metal-detection across the riverbed impact location did not yield any items of interest. However, a terrestrial metal-detection survey of the interface between newly completed groundworks and the natural riverbank, close to the proposed intake location, did encounter a series of metallic items of archaeological significance (Find numbers 1-9):

Find 1: Decorated, cast-bronze terminal from a larger object.

Find 2: Medieval strap-end or buckle plate with surviving leather fragment.

Find 3: Medieval strap fastener/ buckle.

Find 4: Copper alloy panel with traces of possible gold gilding.

Find 5: Copper alloy, hollow bead-type object.

Find 6: Lead crucifix, possibly Viking.

Find 7: Possible lead gaming piece or weight.

Find 8: Iron knife blade.

Find 9: Iron knife blade

The retrieval of these objects, now in the care of the National Museum of Ireland, confirmed significant archaeological potential for the land/bankside area adjacent to River Nore impact location.

The on-site work was carried out on 25th April 2022.