2024:378 - 1 Haymarket, Carlow, Carlow

Archaeological monitoring took place of a proposed development of at No. 1 Haymarket, Carlow. The project involves the conversion of a dilapidated building into 2 apartments under Part 8 Development.

The Council requested an Archaeological Impact Assessment for the site given its location inside the zone of archaeological potential for he medieval walled town of Carlow (CW007–018). Three other RMP sites are in the immediate vicinity of the proposed works: St Mary’s Church of Ireland (CW007-018007) and associated graveyard (CW007-018010-) and within the graveyard was the original location of the effigal tomb of Robert Hartpole who was the constable of Carlow Castle (CW007-018002-).

The house at Haymarket appears to have been built in the 19th century and there is a record of burial grounds having been built over for housing in this era. Human remains were uncovered on Church Street during excavations associated with the Carlow Main Drainage Scheme in 2010. The location of the burials outside of the existing walls indicates that the burial ground at Saint Mary’s once occupied a larger footprint than is visible today. The existing boundary wall for the burial ground at Saint Mary’s (CW007-018010) is 14m southeast of the proposed site under discussion.

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks was carried out on 26 and 27 August 2024 and no finds or features of archaeological significance were exposed. No burials were identified, however it must be noted that the house was built on 19th-century demolition material and natural ground was only exposed at the rear of the property, at the location of the extension, and also at the south-western corner of the interior of the building. Once the internal works are completed a trench will be excavated to connect the pipework associated with the building to the sewer on the main street. This work will be completed in 2025 and a report will be issued in due course.