2025:386 - Nos. 139/140, Tullow Street, Carlow, Carlow

Archaeological testing was carried on 1 August 2025 in relation to proposed alterations to adjoining mixed-use properties at Nos 139 & 140 Tullow Street, Carlow.

Testing targeted the proposed locations where sub-surface works were to take place as part of the development; these were identified in consultation with the applicant, and included locations in the footprints of both Nos 130 and 140. Required construction formation level at the site was to be up to 0.9m deep.

Externally, a test trench was excavated to the rear of No. 140 at the location of a proposed new substation; this was the location of an external stair recorded on the first Ordnance Survey town plan series map, surveyed in 1839. The trench (Trench 2) was aligned east–west at the substation location and along the line of the proposed electrical duct from the substation to the alleyway at the western side of No. 140. A second test trench (Trench 1) was excavated in the gravel alleyway to the street front at No. 140, to determine the extent of prior disturbance from existing services. The gravel alleyway to the west side of No. 140 will be excavated as part of the development to expose existing services, replacing pipes if necessary, and to install a new electrical duct parallel with existing services. All services will run to the footpath on Tullow Street, to be tied into there. Internally, within No. 139, three pits (Pits 1–3) for foundation pads were excavated at the locations of proposed steel columns. The pits measured 2m x 2m in plan.

No archaeology was found in Trench 1 or Pit 3. Two linear features, possibly the remains of earlier drains, were identified in Trench 2.

A number of features were identified in Pit 1, which was located in the north-east corner of No. 139. Pit 1 measured 2m x 2m and was excavated to a depth of 0.2m. A narrow, mortared limestone wall running east-west across the centre of the cutting was exposed beneath the concrete floor slab. The wall measured 0.3m in width by 2m in length. It is likely to be the original boundary wall of No. 139. A partial layer of cobbles was found on either side of the wall partly covered by an earlier mortared floor surface.

A number of features were identified in Pit 2, which was located approximately 12m south of Pit 1 in No. 139, towards the middle of the building. Pit 3 measured 2m x 2m and was excavated to a depth of 0.5m. A foundation plinth was exposed along the east side of the cutting which is associated with the east boundary/party wall of the property. A partial wall feature with red brick was exposed towards the centre of the cutting on the west side. A cast iron pipe, likely a drainpipe, was situated on the north side of the wall. The wall has an east-west orientation, with 0.5m exposed in the cutting. The wall stood to a height of 0.35m by 0.8m in width. It was built using red brick and mortar. Given the width of the wall, it appears structural/load bearing.