2025:131 - Thomastown Library, Marshes Street, Thomastown, Kilkenny

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks associated with the Thomastown Library and Sports Hall Development Project was carried out in multiple phases between 18 April 2024 and 8 May 2025 at Marshes Street, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

The site is located within the Zone of Notification (Zone ID: R138644) for the historic town of Thomastown (KK028-040—-) and lies in close proximity to the medieval town wall (KK028-040011-)

Monitored works comprised demolition of a shed and the removal of the associated concrete floor, with subsequent ground reduction excavations, the insertion of foundation piles, and the excavation of foundation trenches, service trenches and drains.

Excavated material predominantly consisted of made ground with large amounts of modern rubble. The made ground also contained frequent stones likely associated with the previous 18th-19th-century structures shown on the site in the historic OS maps. Some of the larger stones had diameters of up to 1m and were interpreted as potentially originating from the demolished town wall which is recorded c. 20–52m to the west of the development area, and which may have potentially been reused in the construction of the later structures on the site.

Aside from the loose stones likely associated with the previous 18th-19th-century structures on the site and/or potentially the town wall, as well as a small number of wall foundation segments associated with these previously removed 18th-19th-century house/shed structures, no archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified during monitored groundworks.

The metal detection survey under detection device licence no. 22R0327, which was conducted concurrent with the monitored groundworks, did not produce any archaeological finds or materials.