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The Kilkenny Archaeological Project (KKAP):

Heritage Council Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR)

Programme 2008

Heritage Council grant reference: 16677

Principal Investigator: Cóilín Ó Drisceoil Date: 24th October 2008

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Summary overview of 2008 results

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1.1 General Background

In 2008 the Kilkenny Archaeological Project (KKAP) was established as a multi-disciplinary

collaborative effort which aimed to transform the data produced by archaeological investigations

that occurred in the city between 1968-2006 into publically accessible knowledge of the urban past.

The project received Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research programme (INSTAR)

funding for its first phase - ‘Archaeological Investigations in Kilkenny City: A Proposal for

Knowledge Creation’ - and this has proved to be a highly successful data-gathering and assessment

exercise (Figure 1.1). This document presents a summary overview of the key results of the project’s

first year of work.

Figure 1.1: Summary diagram showing key components of the Kilkenny Archaeological Project, Phase 1

Kilkenny Archaeological

Project

(KKAP)

Kilkenny Urban

Archaeology Database (KKUAD)KKAP Phase 1

Report

www.kkap.ie

website

KKAP Bibliography

Collabarative Partnerships

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1.2 Key achievements in 2008:

1.2.1 The completion of the Kilkenny Urban Archaeology Database (KKUAD)

The Kilkenny Urban Archaeology Database (KKUAD) covers the present Kilkenny Borough

Council area and its immediate environs and was modelled on similar schemes that had been

completed for a number of historic towns in England (eg. Lincoln (Stocker 2008) and Canterbury1)

as part of the English Heritage review of urban archaeological strategies (1996-7).2 KKUAD records

information on a Microsoft Access database and Geographical Information System (GIS) (ArcView

9.2) about all known recording ‘events’ in the city from 1845 and all recorded modern archaeological

investigations (210 entities) since 1968 (Figure 1.2). The latter includes 275 individual site reports by

77 archaeologists.

Figure 1.2: Kilkenny Urban Archaeology Database screen-shot

1 http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=3062 (accessed 20th October 2008) 2 http://www.eng-h.gov.uk/ArchRev/rev96_7/urban.htm (accessed 20th October 2008)

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Figure 1.3: GIS map of Kilkenny showing areas of archaeological investigation

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Figure 1.4: GIS map of Kilkenny showing archaeological cuttings

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Figure 1.5: Example of GIS map of Kilkenny showing archaeological cuttings with KKAP entity numbers

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KKUAD took its information from a variety of sources: published and unpublished archaeological

reports, historic maps and newspapers, the Urban Archaeology Survey, recorded findspots, and

artefact catalogues in the National Museum of Ireland and Rothe House museum. As structured it is

capable of being constantly updated, and it is invaluable for providing rapid and concise

archaeological data as well as access to original site reports and publications. 96% of the

archaeological investigation areas and their cuttings have been mapped onto the Geographical

Information System (ArcView 9.2) (Figures 1.3-1.5).3 The GIS allows the dataset to be interrogated

geographically in relation to a wide range of queries.

1.2.2 KKAP Report

A report detailing the results of the 2008 phase of the project will be available by for the INSTAR

completion date. This report provides an account of the project’s methodology, a historiography and

overview of the archaeological discoveries in the city between 1968-2006 as well as an assessment of

Kilkenny’s unpublished excavations. It also contains a detailed catalogue with accompanying

mapping for each investigation and a methodology to bring the project to completion. A summary

of the key results is provided below (Section 1.3).

1.2.3 Collaborative partnerships

Partnerships have been formulated between KKAP and the following (Figure 1.6):

1. Kilkenny Local Authorities (Kilkenny Borough Council and Kilkenny County Council) who

are providing digital Ordnance Survey mapping and aerial photographic coverage for the

city. Should the project proceed into 2009 a dedicated office will be made available by

Kilkenny Local Authorities to the project.

2. The Department of History National University of Ireland Maynooth are partners through

John Bradley, senior lecturer in archaeology.

3. The National Monuments Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and

Local Government have provided access to their reports archive and it is envisaged will be

end-users of the Kilkenny Urban Archaeology database.

4. The Kilkenny Archaeological Society have provided KKAP access to their archive and

library at Rothe House, Kilkenny.

3 There is insufficient information available for the remaining 4%.

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5. Seventy-six individual archaeologists and 15 consultancy firms have provided consent to

include their investigation reports in the KKAP.

6. A panel of 16 specialists has been formulated to provide analysis of archaeological finds and

palaeo-environmental material.

Figure 1.6: Collaborative structure of the Kilkenny Archaeological Project

1.2.4 The production of the KKAP Bibliography

The KKAP bibliography has been produced and includes 125 individual entries which are sorted by

topic.

Principal Investigators

Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, Kilkenny Archaeology.

Kilkenny Archaeology Associate Investigators

John Bradley, NUI Maynooth

Paul Stevens (Kilkenny Flood Relief Scheme)

Richard Jennings (GIS)

Leah McCullough (Research Assistant, Administration)

Philip Kenny (Digital illustration)

Specialist panel (16 analysists)

National Collaborative Partnerships

National Monuments Service, Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Academic Collaborative Partnership

National University of Ireland Maynooth

Local Collaborative Partnerships

Kilkenny Local Authorities

Kilkenny Archaeological Society

Professional Collaborative Partnerships

76 excavation directors and 15 archaeological consultancy

firms.

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1.2.5 KKAP website

A website (www.kkap.ie) has been designed to be used as research portal for project participants as

well as providing news and overviews of the project. Relevant project reports and other documents

have also been uploaded. The website will be available online in December 2008 and it is envisaged

that the complete KKUAD dataset will be obtainable on the website in year 2 of the project4

1.2.6 Public Awareness of Project

Local newspapers have published reports on KKAP and the principal investigator has carried out

interviews with local radio and has had briefing sessions with the Kilkenny Heritage and

Conservation officers and the Kilkenny Archaeological Society.

Figure 1.7: Archaeological excavations underway at Highhayes, MacDonagh railway station 2006. These

investigations uncovered a previously undocumented artisan’s quarter of the medieval city, including a pottery

production centre and a baker’s yard.

4 Subject to the agreement of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

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1.3 KKAP Phase 1 Report Key Results

1.3.1 Rate of archaeological investigation

Between 1968-2006 210 archaeological sites were investigated in the city in 275 individual recording

‘operations’ (Figure 1.8).

Figure 1.8: Rate of archaeological investigations in Kilkenny city per annum

1.3.2 Comparison with other urban areas

In comparison to other towns such as Galway, Cork, Waterford and Limerick the rate of

archaeological intervention compares very favourably (Figure 1.9). It is also however a reflection of

the forms of development that have taken place within the historic centre, which have been in the

main of small-scale character.

Figure 1.9: Rate of archaeological investigations by year in comparison with Galway

0

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Number of Investigations in Kilkenny City, 1968-2006

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77

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92

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95

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98

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01

20

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Number of Investigations in Kilkenny and Galway, 1968-2006

Kilkenny

Galway

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1.3.3 Type of archaeological intervention

Just under half (49.8%) of the 275 archaeological interventions comprised testing (Figure 1.10). 59

excavations occurred, 21.4% of the total number of interventions.

Figure 1.10 Type of archaeological investigation undertaken

1.3.4 Geographical spread

The geographical spread of archaeological investigations was quite broad, with each area of the city

having experienced some form of investigation (Figure 1.11). Not surprisingly the Hightown, the

heart of the medieval walled town, experienced the largest amount of sites investigated (120).

Figure 1.11: Number of archaeological investigation sites per area of Kilkenny city

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137

52

24 3

Investigation type

Excavation

Testing

Monitoring

Architectural

Underwater

12031

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522

5

Number of sites per area of cityHightown

Irishtown

Suburb of St. Johns

Suburb of Donaghmore

Riverine

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Figure 1.12: Locations of Grade 1-3archaeological investigation sites

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1.3.5 Grading

Over half of the investigation (53.7%) produced results that can be considered (using the Heritage

Council’s grading system)to be worthy of publication (Grades 1-3) (Figures 1.12-1.13). The list of

sites proposed for inclusion in the next stages of the project is set out in Table 1.

Figure 1.13: Significance grading of archaeological investigations for Kilkenny city (grading after Doyle et.al. 2001, section 3.2).

1.3.6 Publications

Just 6.1% (13 sites) of Grade 1-3 investigations, have been published (Figure 1.14).5

Figure 1.14: Quantity of published sites per significance category

5 Publication in the annual ‘Excavations’ bulletins is not considered as ‘full’ publication.

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54 55 55

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40

50

60

1 2 3 4 5 Unknown

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anti

ty

Significance Category

Site Grade

0102030405060

1 2 3 4 5

Qu

anti

ty

Site significance category

Quantity of published sites

Sites not published

Sites published

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Table 1: Table of sites proposed for inclusion in the Kilkenny Archaeological Project 2009-2011

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Table of sites for inclusion in Kilkenny Archaeological Project. Please note that this includes published sites as well as unpublished.

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1.3.7 Final reports

73% of Grade 1-3 sites are at final report stage as per Department of the Environment, Heritage

and Local Government guidelines.

Figure 1.15: Quantity of Grade 1-5 sites at final report stage

1.4 Overview of the archaeological dataset by period

Twenty-eight years of archaeological excavation in Kilkenny has amassed a large amount of

archaeological evidence. In chronological terms it ranges from the late Mesolithic (c.5500-400 BC) to

20th century with the high medieval (c.1169-1350) and post-medieval (c.1550-1650) being particularly

well represented.

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1 2 3 4 5

Qu

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Site significance category

Quantity of grade 1-5 sites at final report stage

Status to be checked

Sites not at final report stage

Sites at final report stage

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Figure 1.16: Total number of archaeological periods represented by all sites represented in the Kilkenny Urban

Archaeology Database.

Figure 1.17: Number of sites grades 1-3 per chronological period

6 7 148 2950

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100

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350

Prehistoric Early Medieval Medieval Post-Medieval

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Site Period

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Site Grades 1-3 and chronological periods

Grade 3

Grade 2

Grade 1

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Figure 1.18: Graph showing site types documented in KKUAD

1.4.1 Prehistoric Kilkenny

A small number of indications for prehistoric activity within the city have been discovered in recent

years, most notably during the course of the Kilkenny flood relief scheme (2000-2005). In total 5

prehistoric discoveries have been documented- Mesolithic flints, Neolithic polished stone axes, an

Early Bronze Age cremation burial, a Late Bronze Age fish-trap and fulacht fiadh.

44 43

33

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21 20 1917

15 14 13 12

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6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1

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The range of site types discovered during investigations in Kilkenny City, 1968-2006

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1.4.2 Early Medieval Kilkenny (c.800-1169 AD)

Seven sites have reported evidence for Early Medieval activity. What may have been an inner vallum

of the ecclesiastical precinct of Cill Chainnigh has recently been discovered in the ‘Deanery garden’

beside St. Canice’s cathedral. The site also produced evidence for antler working and a corn-drying

kiln that may be of Early Medieval date. On the south side of the city a section of a similar enclosure

around the Domhnach Mór was documented on Father Hayden road. Excavations at Kilkenny castle

have uncovered what has been reported as evidence for a secular settlement site of Early Medieval

date. This contained a c.4.6m x 4.2m sod-built structure with a central hearth, nearby to which was a

small smelting-furnace for bronze and iron working.

Figure 1.19: Test-excavations in 2006 on this site at the Deanery Orchard, St. Canice’s cathedral provided

important evidence regarding the Early Medieval archaeology of the site.

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1.4.3 High Medieval Kilkenny (1169-c.1350 AD)

Activity in the High Medieval period has been documented at 130 sites in Kilkenny. Life in the

Middle Ages in all its forms is represented:. trade, exploitation of natural resources, specialisation,

technology, manufacturing, social differentiation, religious aspirations, death and burial.

Figure 1.20: St. Canice’s cathedral and round tower dominates the Irishtown of Kilkenny. Numerous archaeological

investigations have taken place around the cathedral.

All of the major medieval ecclesiastical sites have been investigated (on 19 occasions), including the

range and church at St. John’s, the cloister and north-transept at St. Francis’ abbey and the chancel

at the Dominican ‘Black Abbey’. The almost complete plan of the medieval Vicar’s choral on Vicar

street was recorded by excavation and detailed recording and excavation has taken place at the

Bishop’s Palace. Some 20 instances of human remains have been excavated, including 255 medieval

burials at Abbey street and lesser quantities at St. Mary’s Lane.

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Thirty-three investigations have taken place on the town walls, providing important information

regarding the development and military technology employed from the early 13th-late 17th century.

What may have been the ditch of the primary defences was recorded at William Street and timber

piles associated with the later 13th century extension to the defences at Abbey Street. In addition

there have been a series of substantial excavations carried out on the walls of St. John’s suburb.

Figure 1.21: The environs of the Dominican ‘Black Abbey’, founded 1225 have been extensively excavated. The

former chancel has been excavated, as has a section of its precinct wall and a large proportion of its medieval cemetery.

Very little direct evidence for medieval housing has been recorded. Part of a sill-beam house was

recorded at Brennan’s yard, Irishtown and a timber-framed building on James’ street may also be of

medieval date. There is also the possibility that many of the cellars recorded on High Street and

Parliament street originated in the Middle Ages.

Kilkenny’s medieval bridges have received much attention as a consequence of the works associated

with the 2000-2005 flood relief scheme. Much of the 16th century Green’s bridge was recorded and

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excavated and at John’s Bridge a major collection of graveslabs was found at the abutments. A

previously undocumented bridge has also been unearthed at John’s priory in a separate project.

At Kilkenny castle extensive excavations have been undertaken which have documented in some

considerable detail the main building phases and their associated material culture. In addition part of

the outer curtain wall has been excavated.

Direct archaeological evidence for tanning pits, a pottery kiln, drying kilns and lead working have all

been documented and a vast range of artefacts in pottery, leather, wood, iron and copper-alloy

present information on the crafts and trades that were undertaken within the city.

Roughly half the area of the Hightown and Irishtown, and almost the entire suburb of St. John’s was

constructed on the former flood-plains of the Nore and Breagagh rivers. Archaeological material

unearthed within the reclamation zone can therefore be expected to be better preserved (as a

consequence of anaerobic conditions) than elsewhere in the city. Seventeen investigations have

produced direct evidence for medieval reclamation in the form of massive dumps and timber/stone

revetments.

1.4.4 Post-Medieval Kilkenny (c.1550-1650)

Sites that could be dated to between c.1550-1650 amounted to 43, with 25 producing evidence for

structures that related to the boom in stone house construction that occurred within the city at this

time. Architectural recording has taken place at number of these (eg. the Shee House, 91-3 High

Street and the Rothe House, Parliament street) and a large stone building with a battered wall was

excavated on Poyntz’s Lane. Cellars have been recorded on many occasions including fine barrel-

vaulted examples at the Langton House, High Street. Milling was an important industry in Kilkenny

in the late 16th-early 17th century and the earliest phases of a number the excavated sites were of such

a date.

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Figure 1.22: The late Tudor Rothe House on Parliament street has been the focus for excavations both within the

building and also its rear-garden.

1.4.5 18th-19th century Kilkenny

The archaeology of milling forms the most significant component of the investigations from the

18th-19th century in Kilkenny. Thirteen excavation took place on mills and/or their associated

infrastructure during the Kilkenny flood relief scheme. Key sites included Mill Island, Ormonde Mill

and the archer ‘tuck mill’. Excavation and architectural recording has also been carried out on a

number of 18th century houses in the city, most notably the ‘New Building’.

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1.5 The Artefacts and Palaeoenvironmental remains from Kilkenny’s

archaeological investigations

Cumulative totals for all artefact-types and palaeoenvironmental samples are presented in Table 2

below.6 Medieval pottery forms the most commonly recovered find-type with post-medieval pottery

and metal finds also being prominent. A substantial quantity - 88% - of the excavated material has

been already subjected to specialist analysis (Figure 1.23). Significantly, the archaeological works on

the Kilkenny City Flood Relief Scheme (2000-2005) and the excavations at Highhayes (MacDonagh

railway station) produced 59% of the total finds assemblage from the city.7

Table 2: Cumulative list of quantities of artefacts, human remains and palaeoenvironmental samples recovered from Grade 1-3 Kilkenny City Investigations. The table also includes final tallies on the quantities of artefacts that require analysis.

6 These quantities should be regarded as minimum numbers. 7 The third major project was at Kilkenny castle (Murtagh 1993) but no reliable, up-to-date finds totals are available for this site.

Find Type Quantity Found Other sites with same find type (unquantified)

Quantity Already Analysed

Quantity to be Analysed

Medieval Pottery 16488 7 14414 2074

Post medieval Pottery 9471 27 8543 928

Ferrous Metal 2816 6 2389 427

Non-Ferrous Metal 1633 4 1500 133

Glass 2663 18 2330 333

Small stone 93 0 31 62

Coins 296 0 170 126

Bone Artefacts 31 6 25

Clay pipe 2466 19 1917 549

Burial Monuments 47 22 25

Structural Timbers 72 23 49

Wooden artefacts 51 19 32

Leather 329 326 3

Roof tiles 144 2 82 62

Floor tiles 193 5 37 156

Architectural Stone 347 0 347 27

Human Burials 1155 884 271

Human Disarticulated Bone

244 1 244 0

Animal Bone 25941 7 25939 2

Environmental Samples

122 1 122 1

Wood/charcoal 399 0 399 0

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Figure 1.23: Percentages of finds/samples where specialist reports have been carried out

Figure 1.24: This 14th century jug from Highhayes is a copy of similar vessels from Redcliffe, England

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Percentage of finds/samples analysed by specialists

To be analysed

Analysed

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Bibliography

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Medieval/Post-medieval findings’, Old Kilkenny Review 59, 18-37.

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