2025:742 - St Kieran's Street and Market Yard, Gardens, Kilkenny city, Kilkenny

Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) were engaged to undertake archaeological monitoring of construction works for the Saint Kieran’s Street and Market Square Urban Enhancement Scheme. Monitoring in 2025 comprised advance slit trench works and followed on from site investigation works conducted in 2023 by the author (see DIER 2023:465).

A total of eighteen slit trenches were monitored across the proposed development site. Works were carried out within the Zone of Notification for Kilkenny City (RMP KK019-026—-). The works area was also located within the city centre’s designated Architectural Conservation Area containing period properties listed in the Record of Protected Structure (RPS) and on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) including the thirteenth-century Kyteler’s Inn (RPS Ref. B189; NIAH Reg. No. 12000116) and the Yard Café c.1600 (NIAH Reg. No. 12000115).

Archaeological monitoring of the works identified a number of archaeological features within nine of the trenches in the proposed development site. These comprise several substantial mortar-bonded limestone walls, two flagstone-capped culverts, potential archaeological soils and deposits. Residual animal bone and oyster shell were also recorded. The remaining slit trenches exposed modern road construction deposits, service corridors and demolition deposits, with no natural subsoil encountered.

Archaeological mitigation consisting of further investigations, preservation by record and preservation in situ have been recommended variously for these areas and warrant further archaeological excavation in Market Yard.

Archaeological monitoring of construction groundworks for this scheme continues in 2026, in addition to rescue excavation, as required, and subject to approval by the statutory authorities.