2023:668 - Harvey’s Quay (Site Investigation), Clonroad Beg, Ennis, Clare

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken of all ground disturbance associated with Site Investigation works at Harvey’s Quay, Ennis, Co Clare. The proposal site is located in the townland of Clonroad Beg, within the historic town of Ennis (CL033-082). The site lies to the immediate south of the River Fergus, and is currently in use as a car park.

Monitoring of the excavation of test pits and slit trenches was undertaken, additionally borehole logs from rotary drilling were examined. Monitoring identified deposits associated with buildings that previously stood on the site and were demolished in the mid-1960s; these buildings are likely date to the 18^th century, but could potentially be older. Examination of 19^th- and 20^th-century maps show that this part of the town was occupied by dense dwelling houses and a corn store, coal yard and riverside quays.

Organic deposits were seen in lower horizons of one of the test pits, indicating the survival of riverine material beneath the demolished buildings. Three boreholes also showed organic deposits including wood and peat.

Whilst monitoring of the narrow and shallow test pits, and the reading of the borehole logs did not reveal any definitive archaeological features, deposits or artefacts, it is not unreasonable, given the evidence from the ground investigations of organic material, to assume that there is potential for survival of archaeological deposits features or artefacts.

Given the location of the proposal site within the medieval core of Ennis, and the discovery of the survival of organic river deposits sealed beneath post-medieval deposits, it was recommended that a programme of archaeological investigation is undertaken to allow a more detailed assessment of the archaeological potential of the site.

TVAS (Ireland) Ltd Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare