Cork City Council Archaeological Publications

Hurley, M.F. 1995 'Excavations in Cork City: Kyrl's Quay/North Main Street and at Grand Parade (Part 1)' Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 100, 47-90.

Hurley, M.F. 1996 'Excavations in Cork City: Kyrl's Quay/North Main Street (Part 2)' Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society 101, 26-63. (The project was funded by O' Callaghan Properties Ltd. and the publication was funded by Cork City Council)

Hurley, M.F. & Sheehan, C. 1995 Excavations at the Dominican Priory, St Mary's of the Isle, Cork. Cork City Council. Cork. (Funded by O'Flynn Construction Ltd.)

Hurley, M.F. 1997 Excavations at the North Gate, Cork, 1994. Cork City Council. Cork. (Funded by Cork City Council and the E.U. through the Urban Pilot Project)

Cleary, R.M., Hurley, M.F. & Shee Twohig, E. 1997 Skiddy's Castle and Christ Church, Cork: Excavations 1974-77 by D.C. Twohig. Cork City Council. Cork.

Johnson, G., 2002, The Laneways of Medieval Cork: Study carried out as a part of Cork City Council’s Major Initiative, Cork City Council ( Funded by Cork City Council; the Irish Government and the E.U under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006.)

A Guide to Cork City’s Historic Plaques and Signs (Prepared by Cork City Council with support from the Heritage Council).

The Laneways of Medieval Cork by Gina Johnson

The medieval lanes of North Main Street were identified and demarcated as part of the refurbishment of the historic core of Cork. This study was undertaken to identify their positions, names and associations. Archaeological, cartographic and historic research were combined to create an understanding of the current form of the old city.

 

 

 

Excavations at the North Gate Cork 1994
By Maurice F. Hurley.

North Gate was one of the two principal gateways to the medieval walled city of Cork; it has always been the main point of entry from the north. A bridge spanned the North Channel of the River Lee since medieval times and its existence was crucial to the development of the linear main street. The city walls and gateway were altered and replaced periodically over 500 years. Street-fronting houses were replaced more frequently and alleyways were regularly relocated. Water powered metalworking industry flourished during the late 13th/14th century in conjunction with bake ovens in the backyards.

The excavation was undertaken in 1994 as one of Cork Corporations’ EU assisted Urban Pilot Projects. In addition to the necessary excavation of the site in advance of re-development, the project aims included raising public awareness of Cork’s heritage and demonstration of the excavation process. Of particular importance was the organisation of guided tours to school groups and impromptu presentation of tours and leaflets to interested passers-by.

The cover illustrations show the North Gate C. 1790 and excavation in progress.

Skiddy’s Castle and Christ Church Cork Excavations 1974-77
by D.C Twohig

In 1974 when urban archaeology was in its infancy in Ireland, the spectacular success of the Dublin excavations encouraged the late Professor M.J. O’ Kelly of the Department of Archaeology, University College Cork, to organise a series of excavations in Cork City. Aided by grants from the National Committee for Archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy, excavations were undertaken by the late Dermot Twohig on vacant grounds at two sites – Skiddy’s Castle, North Main Street, and Christ Church College, South Main Street. The excavation took place over a four-year period. The extent of the surviving remains, the depth and complexity of the stratigraphy, as well as the remarkable preservation of organic material such as wood, bone and leather, took everybody by surprise. The ground contained evidence for over 800 years of Cork’s history and development.

Since 1977 many more excavations have taken place in Cork City and the Skiddy’s Castle and Christ Church archive has contributed enormously to the understanding of Cork’s development. With this publication all the information now becomes available to the wider academic community and to the general public.

Excavations in Cork City 1984-2000

This book presents the results of thirteen excavations carried out in Cork City over a sixteen – year period from 1984-2000. The sites vary from relatively small-scale excavations to larger sites and each provides a link in the interpretation of the origin and development of the City. In future years, further work in Cork City may allow for different interpretations and the factual record of the sites in this book may be used to build a more complete picture of the past.

These excavations provide the information for a thematic discussion on the elements of the City including housing, the City Wall, infrastructure and laneways. All excavations in Cork produce a multitude of finds and an overview of the material culture gives an insight into the economy, society, trade patterns and urban life from the twelfth century to the post-medieval period.

Cork City Council is delighted to be associated with the publication of this important book on the archaeological heritage of the city.

A Guide to Cork City’s Historic Plaques and Signs

In 2002 Cork City Council undertook a study of the historic plaques in the city. A preliminary list of plaques was compiled from documentary sources and from existing lists held by Cork Public Museum. A street survey was then carried out to record the known examples and to identify previously unrecorded plaques.

A Guide to Cork City’s Historic Plaques and Signs, which was edited by Ciara Brett, Executive Archaeologist and Niamh Twomey, Heritage Officer, highlights a selection of the plaques that were recorded in the study.

The plaques highlighted in this book emphasis the diversity and range of Cork City’s Heritage. Some of the plaques demonstrate the wide ranging contributions made by extraordinary people such as Frank O’Connor and Father Mathew. Others commemorate historic events such as the meeting of the newly formed GAA. The miscellaneous section illustrates a number of signs that are visible on many buildings in the city but are often over-looked such as benchmarks and firecall signs.

This booklet was produced by Cork City Council Planning and Development Department with the financial support of the Heritage Council.

Forthcoming Publications

Old Blackpool: An Historic Cork Suburb
Cork City’s Burial Places. (Due to be Published 2007)

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