![]() ![]() The rest has been postulated by experimental archaeology, which has tried different techniques to demonstrate the most likely form and function of the buildings. The remains of many Bronze Age roundhouses can still be found scattered across open heathland, such as Dartmoor, as stone ' hut circles'.Įarly archeologists determined what they believed were the characteristics of such structures by the layout of the postholes, although a few timbers were found preserved in bogs. The Atlantic roundhouse, Broch, and Wheelhouse styles were used in Scotland. These ranged in size from less than 5m in diameter to over 15m. The people built walls made of either stone or of wooden posts joined by wattle-and-daub panels, and topped with a conical thatched roof. Roundhouses were the standard form of housing built in Britain from the Bronze Age throughout the Iron Age, and in some areas well into the Sub Roman period. Cronin concluded.A reconstruction of a British Iron Age Celtic roundhouse. “This has been a very important project and is a tribute to the foresight and pride of place, of the officials and members of Ennis Town Council, who were prepared to invest in the past to ensure the future of this historic town”, Mr. ![]() He explained, “Evidence appears to come to light regularly showing that the whole town centre from The Abbey, to the Old Ground, to Lower Parnell Street contains a large amount of Late Medieval masonry, most of which is hidden behind Georgian and Victorian facades.” ![]() I have no doubt that the building will continue to be of tremendous interest to all those who have an appreciation of the importance of our heritage and the very fine examples of medieval architecture in the town.”Īccording to David Humphreys of ACP Consultant Conservation Engineers: “Although built originally using crude rubble stone and weak mortar, the fact that this building has stayed intact up to the present is a tribute to the skills of the medieval masons, who possessed a great knowledge of their materials and confidence in their designs”.Ĭonservation Officer Dick Cronin noted that the present discoveries at McParland’s further enhance Ennis’ status as the most intact medieval town in Ireland. This work makes the building safe and protects a major piece of the history and character of Ennis. Coyne.Ĭommenting on the restoration project, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Michael Guilfoyle stated: “The works to McParland’s, when completed, will yield invaluable information on the traditional skills and construction techniques of Late Medieval Ennis. If these prove to be of medieval date, which we believe is the case, then this means that this house is the only structure of its type in the country”, explained Mr. It is hugely significant that these beams are oak, which will enable us to use tree ring dating. “The existence of a foundation cut in the interior of the house, indicates an earlier structure on the site, which is also borne out by the presence of large oak beams in the walls of the house. explained that the limited archaeological excavation has revealed a wealth of information. In recent weeks, archaeologists have discovered an oak frame structure which they have described as “potentially one of the most exciting urban archaeological discoveries in Ireland in recent years”.įrank Coyne, Consultant Archaeologist from Aegis Archaeology Ltd. The Conservation Contractor, Tom Howard, claims it was “the most dangerous and precarious job I have ever undertaken as a builder but thankfully everything went to plan.” At present the historic gable is being re-built using the original stones bedded in an authentic hydraulic-lime mortar, the floor of the house having been archaeologically excavated prior to this. During October 2011, the gable and chimney were carefully recorded, taken down and stored. ![]()
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