EXCLUSIVE: Multiple human burials found in dig at Kilkenny's Tholsel building

Multiple historic human remains have been uncovered as part of ongoing restoration and excavation works taking place at Kilkenny’s City Hall.

The works, at the Tholsel and St Mary’s Lane, are part of a project to develop a new tourist attraction for the city. Over 10 human burials have been identified, thought to be 600-800 years old. The graves are simple earth-dug holes, and the burial position of the individuals indicates that they were Christian. Most were buried in shrouds, and there is no definite evidence of coffins.

The archaeological team working onsite includes an osteo-archaeologist, who specialises in the archaeological recording of human bone. Scientific analysis, including dating the age of the bones, identifying sex, examining for dietary information, evidence for sickness, injury, or violence, is also due to be carried out as excavations continue.
Kilkenny County Council has said that conservation and analysis of the artefacts from the excavation will also be carried out. As well as the human burials identified, other archaeological features have been uncovered. Medieval artefacts including pottery shards have been recovered.

The archaeological excavations are being carried out under Ministerial Consent issued by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The excavation is being carried out at the back (east) of the Tholsel in St Mary’s Lane, in a part of the building that was constructed in the 1820s as an extension to the Tholsel. The excavation has identified earlier phases of archaeological activity under the Tholsel extension on St Mary’s Lane.

A layer of 18th Century stone cobbles that formed a yard and path were identified under the 19th Century floor in this part of the Tholsel. The removal of the cobbles has identified that before the cobbles and yard were constructed, the land was previously part of the graveyard of St Mary’s Church.

CONTRACT SIGNED
In January of this year, Kilkenny County Council, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, signed a major contract with, local company, Duggan Lynch Ltd, for the development of Kilkenny’s newest tourism attraction. The council says the project is set to enrich the city’s cultural and historical landscape, drawing in a greater number of visitors from across the country and around the world, helping the local economy.

The Museum of Medieval Kilkenny will see the unification of The Tholsel and the Medieval Mile Museum (formerly St Mary’s Church). The overall objective of this project is to develop an offering that will become one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions.
The current renovations at The Tholsel building are focused on both internal and external improvements, including the addition of a lift to improve accessibility. It is hoped the works will help preserve the building for future generations. Upon completion, the Tholsel will continue to serve as the seat of Local Government in the city, with certain areas, such as the basement, repurposed as a visitor attraction.

Throughout the recent months, works has been advancing on all levels of The Tholsel from the basement to the fourth floor.
Separately to the burials, previously unidentified stone light-wells were found under the ground, against one of the walls of the Tholsel. These light-wells provided light and air for the basement of the Tholsel.

The basement of the Tholsel was constructed in the 17th or 18th century and was in use until the early 20th century. The construction of the stone light-wells cut through some of the burials, which evidently, were much older.

NATIONAL MUSEUM
A report outlining the results of the excavation will be made available, once the analysis is complete. All of the artefacts from the excavation will be deposited with the National Museum of Ireland, who are the statutory agency responsible for all archaeological artefacts.
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