2024:703 - The Manor Fields, Graigue, Adare, Limerick

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks associated with the construction of multi-purpose tennis/padel courts, ball wall, warm-up area, fencing, surface water drainage, line markings and associated site works at the Adare Recreation & Community Complex at The Manor Fields, Adare, Co. Limerick was carried out on 25 June 2024. Following the removal of the sod and topsoil layers the exposed subsoil and visible sections across the development area were recorded.

Groundworks commenced at the east side of the development site and proceeded from there westwards. The ground level was reduced in places by almost 900mm and an exposed section at the east side close to the entrance to the site showed a soil profile comprising: topsoil c. 250mm in depth, overlying a layer of light brown/pinkish virtually stone-free clay which varied from 300mm to 350mm in depth, overlying light brown/buff sandy clay with abundant small and medium-sized stones, excavated to a depth of almost 400mm.

Three long, wide, drainage trenches were excavated into a natural clay subsoil following the removal of topsoil, and filled with stone. Two were oriented east-west and extended across the long axis of the development site. The other was located at the western limit of the development area and was oriented north-south. A sequence of narrow, shallow drainage trenches were excavated at an interval of 7m perpendicular to the east-west trenches. These measured 300mm in width and were excavated to a depth of 400mm into the natural clay.

No archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified during any of the monitored groundworks