By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (Youghalonline.com)

Archaeologists have unearthed a large section of a Medieval street in Youghal. The discovery was made in Church Street by consultants conducting an archaeological overview for a Public Realm project whereby telecommunications are ducted underground prior to ‘heritage-style’ paving being laid.

The perfectly preserved section comprises cobbled, sandstone paving and “sits on the natural subsoil,” says Dan Noonan of Daniel Noonan Archaeology Consultancy. “This area is on all historic mapping and it would date from the 12th or 13th century.” One local described the find as “the street where Cromwell marched his horses.” It is the largest discovery in a series of enticing finds throughout the town’s heritage-led project.

The excavation features one of Ireland’s most historic areas, beside the gates to St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, which dates to 450 AD. Within lie the remains of members of the Boyle family, of whom physicist Robert discovered Boyle’s Law. The grounds hold a communal famine grave. Forming an adjacent corner is Myrtle Grove, where former Mayor Sir Walter Raleigh resided in 1599 where the poet Spencer allegedly wrote part of The Faerie Queen.

The excavation also revealed several gullies, on a slightly higher level and thus younger. “The original street would have gradually risen,’ says Dan. “Probably from the late 1600′s, householders would have constructed their own narrow sewerage culverts to feed into a central gully which fed into the sea.”

Equally enthralling finds were pieces of household pottery, indicating the town’s ancient trade links. A 13th or 14th century piece of Saintong pottery from France, is sealed with a distinctive lead-glazed, green exterior. Also found was an orange section Italian Scrafitto, probably from a bowl or plate, circa early 1600′s.
“Because they were actually lying on paving, they are easily dated,” says Dan.

In a blessed time long before refuse charges and incinerators, “people would just throw their rubbish on the street,” Dan reveals. “A mixture of straw, sand, manure and household waste would make the cobbles quieter and safer for horse’s hooves.” They just knew how to recycle properly in those days!

The paving will be photographed and logged and then coated with protective coating before being filled in. A talk on Youghal’s most recently discovered archaeological treasures will take place at the town library on Thursday September 4th, at 7pm.
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