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Our Services: Development & Planning

Cork Main Drainage Scheme

The Cork Main Drainage Scheme was one of the largest infrastructural projects ever undertaken in Ireland. A team of Cork City Council archaeologists worked alongside engineers and construction crews, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to dig deep into the city’s past. The Scheme involved intense and intrusive construction work. With access to the deepest trenches ever excavated in the city, archaeologists had a rare opportunity to discover hidden details of the city’s development. Archaeological monitoring and excavation was an integral part of the Main Drainage Scheme from the outset and the construction of new sewers and associated works throughout the city resulted in the discovery of numerous hitherto unknown archaeological sites.  


Within the historic core of the city, more sections of the medieval city wall were uncovered. The excavations reinforced the belief that unseen beneath the city streets, Cork has a more complete circuit of walls than any other Irish city or town. One of the most interesting discoveries was the 13th century foundation of the original Queen’s Castle, on Castle Street. The main features uncovered were the remains of domestic and commercial buildings, roads, culverts, layers of refuse and evidence of reclamation and timber buildings. Analysis of the pottery has given evidence of Cork's trade links with south-west England, Germany and south-west France. The evidence from the excavations will also be of use in updating guidelines for the treatment of development in the historic core of the city. In 2002 excavations in Washington Street revealed a Viking type house dated to circa 1120. The house stood on a clay floor platform surrounded by a wooden revetment dated to 1104 AD.

Cork's Hidden Past Discovered by Cork Main Drainage (6,790KB)

 Trench with Viking House Washington Street

Trench with Viking House Washington Street 

 

Queen’s Old Castle Foundation

Queen’s Old Castle Foundation 

 

Cork Main Drainage Brochure

This Brochure is available from the Archaeology Secion, Navigation House,
Albert Quay, Cork.

Planning & Development Dept., Cork City Council,
City Hall, Cork, Ireland.
Tel: Development Control +353 21 4924321
Planning Policy +353 21 4924086
Fax: +353 21 4924706/ +353 21 4924712 | Email: planning@corkcity.ie

[Cork City Council Crest]