Clare Abbey

Final Archaeological Excavation Report C020 (PDF File)

Final Archaeological Excavation Report A025 (PDF File)

Medieval monastic occupation and post-medieval military activity at Clare Abbey, Co. Clare

As part of works associated with the N18 Ennis Bypass and N85 Western Relief Road, Clare County Council requested the construction of a small vehicle turning space/car park next to Clare Abbey linked to the new N85 by a narrow roadway.

The excavation by TVAS (Ireland) Ltd took place in Autumn 2005 in a triangular plot of land bounded on the east by the west gable wall of Clare Abbey and on the west by the Ennis to Limerick railway.

As expected, the excavation revealed archaeological features and structures associated with the monastic occupation of the abbey. It was noted that soft buildings might have been present against the abbey west wall. Indications of scaffolding, used during the construction of the abbey were also recorded. More surprising, were the post-monastic occupation layers and features that were recorded during the excavation. Looking at all the artefacts from the 17th and 18th centuries recovered during the excavation, it is suggested that armies might have camped at Clare Abbey during the Cromwellian and/or the Williamite wars.