'It's some discovery': Skeletons unearthed in Limerick

AN EXTRAORDINARY discovery at a landmark local site has sparked astonishment and curiosity this week.

A team of archaeologists and other heritage experts have discovered centuries-old human skeletal remains while doing excavations ahead of a major building scheme which will benefit hundreds of people.

The find was made as workers were digging on a site near King John’s Castle.

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This is being done in preparation for the construction of flood defence walls which will stretch from the heart of Limerick city out to King’s Island, an area ravaged when the River Shannon burst its banks back in 2014.

Below: Preparatory work taking place near King John's Castle ahead of the erection of flood defence walls (Picture: Adrian Butler)

“It’s some discovery. We are stunned, to be honest. It’s an amazing find,” said one local.

In a statement released to the Leader this Tuesday, Limerick City and County Council confirmed “human remains have been found” and a specialist team had identified at least 36 burials associated with the former City Gaol.

This building was located where the council’s current civic offices are now at Merchant’s Quay in the city centre.

The local authority added the human remains appear to date from the late 18th or early 19th century.

“Preliminary research suggests they may be the remains of persons who died or were executed either just before the City Gaol was built, or during the gaol’s operation,” a spokesperson for council added.

The find was made after an archeological excavation was undertaken near the council’s offices.

More unearthing is planned, which may pave the way for further discovery.

Limerick’s old City Gaol operated between 1813 and 1904, and for a period, public hangings took place outside.

After 1904, the complex became Geary’s biscuit factory.

The factory and the remains of the City Gaol facing the River Shannon were demolished in the late 1980s to make way for the building which housed what was then Limerick Corporation.

As well as the human remains, other findings include the site of a possible treadmill. This was a machine where several prisoners were forced to walk as a form of hard labour. The prison’s hospital and yards were also found.

Preparatory works for the flood defence walls began in the final quarter of last year, with Ward & Burke Construction put in place as contractors.

Despite the astonishing find, there is not expected to be any delay to the completion of the walls, expected by the end of 2026.

A council spokesperson explained that because the archaeological survey had been planned in advance of the timeline for building the walls, it will not impact its overall delivery schedule. “The project team remain committed to preserving Limerick’s rich heritage while progressing essential flood protection infrastructure for the King’s Island community,” the council’s statement concluded.