Settlement deserted — medieval in Tyone (nenagh Par.)

Situated on a low rise of ground on the W bank of the Nenagh River with good views in all directions. Described as the 'Towne of Tyone' possessing a 'Mannor with ye priviledg of a Court Leet, & Coyrt barron', 'It hath also two Faires every yeare, vizt on ye 22th of june; & the 29th of Augt, & a markett every saturday' (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 250-51). There are some traces of earthworks in the field to N, S and W of Tyone abbey (TN021-042----) which possibly relate to this settlement. Oblique aerial photographs (CUCAP AY026/027) taken 10/07/1969 show a series of earthworks both linear and curvilinear in the field to the N and W of Tyone Abbey (TN021-042----). In 2005 a geophysical survey was undertaken by Geoarc Ltd under licence No. 05R113 was in this field and the results of which were summarised as following; 'A second phase of geophysical investigation was commissioned by Douglas Wallace on behalf of Tyone Developments over the northern part of a proposed development site in the townland of Tyone, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The entire site covers an area approximately and Phase I of the geophysical investigation completed in September 2005 was located around Tyone Abbey - the only extant monument within the proposed development site. Phase I included an area of 4.2811a and Phase II includes all of the remaining area (1.52Ha) in the northern part of the proposed development site, but excludes some small areas close to permanent post and wire fences, agricultural buildings, farm machinery, etc. as these introduce interference on the magnetic results. Numerous features indicative of archaeological activity were identified on the results of Phase I of the geophysical investigation and the majority of these features were detected by the magnetic gradiometry technique. The identified features appear to form a complex pattern of enclosures, field boundaries, curvilinear features and a number of zones of magnetic noise of unknown origin. The date and function of these features can only be determined by intrusive archaeological investigation but it is likely that some of these features are contemporary with the Abbey and possibly represent activities associated with the occupation of the abbey. There is some tentative evidence for the presence of sub-circular features which predate the main field system. No major anomalies indicative of clearly identifiable archaeological feature are identified on Phase II of the geophysical investigation. Nevertheless, a number of minor, weak anomalies detected by the survey appear to correlate with features of possible archaeological significance observed on the aerial photograph of the site. These anomalies are mainly located in the extreme northeast corner of the proposed development site and intrusive archaeological investigation is recommended to establish the date and character of the minor anomalies'. In 2007 test excavation was undertaken by Tamás Péterváry, Dominic Delany & Associates under licence No. E3452/C121 in the field to the W of Tyone Abbey (TN021-042----) the results of which were summarised as following; 'Test excavation took place in the northern vicinity of a medieval Augustinian abbey [TN021-042----] in Tyone in the southern outskirts of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, from 29 August to 3 September 2007. The layout of the four trenches opened was determined by anomalies identified in two phases of geophysical survey. Each trench contained archaeological features consisting of earthen boundary ditches, burnt areas and pits. These features underline the results of the geophysical survey and suggest intensive habitation at the site in two historical phases. The first phase was represented by a univallate enclosure, most likely the remains of an early medieval ringfort [TN021-042002-]. A fragment of an iron knife was retrieved from the vicinity of this monument. A smaller enclosure, incorporated within the high or late medieval boundary of the ‘abbey field’, was identified through geophysical survey some 50m to the north. This monument, though not included in the testing programme, probably dates to the same general period as the univallate enclosure. The second phase saw the construction of a series of earthen boundary banks and ditches enclosing the ‘abbey field’ with traces of regularly laid-out internal units. The enclosure consisted of three parallel ditches identified within two of the testing trenches. The middle ditch was sectioned and turned out to be 3.6m wide and 1.4m deep, containing three silty sand deposits with frequent inclusions of small angular cobbles and pebbles and few fragments of animal bone. The section of these deposits suggested infilling from both sides of the ditch. The inner and outer ditches were narrower and ran at a similar distance of c. 3m from the middle ditch. The similar consistency of the upper deposits and regular layout of these defensive features suggested contemporary use, probably in the high or late medieval period' (www.excavations.ie). The site was a proposed residential housing development, measuring c. 300m by 200m, to the east of the road from Moanbeg to Fawnlough in the townlands of Moanbeg and Tyone, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Archaeological assessment and monitoring were a condition of planning permission for the development. An assessment was carried out by Niall Gregory in July 2002 (No. 1741 above, 02E1204). Although groundworks had already begun on the site, two areas of archaeological potential were identified. The first was an anomalous rounded hollow, c. 15m in diameter and 0.3m deep, in the western part of the site. The second area was defined by the topographical ascent of the site itself, terminating in a small natural summit in the north-eastern corner. Monitoring (licence no. 02E1254) was carried out between 12 August and 6 September 2002 during the first phase of groundworks for the scheme. This involved topsoil-stripping in the area of ten proposed houses in the north-eastern part of the site, four in the south-west and the associated access roads. Stratigraphy varied across the site. The sod layer averaged 0.2m deep and was composed of light brown, sandy clay with a moderate amount of charcoal inclusions. In the northern part of the site this overlay light brown, silty clay topsoil with a moderate amount of charcoal inclusions, 0.18-0.22m deep. The topsoil increased in depth as the site naturally descended to the south and south-west. In these areas it comprised mid-brown sandy clay 0.2-0.4m deep. Natural subsoil was a brown/yellow sandy clay with frequent stone and decayed stone inclusions. Natural outcrops of limestone bedrock were uncovered randomly throughout the site. The ridge forming the perimeter of the hollow area in the south-western part of the site proved to comprise one such bedrock outcrop. Two areas containing archaeological material were uncovered during this phase of monitoring. Area 1 was in the north-eastern part of the site, and the features were contained in an area of c. 30m by 40m. These consisted of a linear ditch, an area of in situ burning and a number of features containing charcoal-rich soil. Area 2, in the south-western part of the site, contained archaeological features in an area of c. 20m by 30m. These were an irregularly shaped area of in situ burning and a number of features containing charcoal-rich soil, some of which exhibited burning around the edges. Excavation of Area 1 was carried out from 2 to 6 September (No. 1774 below, 02E1413). Owing to insufficient budgetary allowance for archaeological provisions, the client requested that excavation within Area 2 be postponed until the second phase of groundworks for the development. Therefore Area 2 was cordoned off from development works, and the features were covered with heavy-duty polythene. In an area of c. 70m by 30m at the east of the site, soil-stripping did not reach the level of natural subsoil. It was therefore not possible to determine whether archaeologi