Settlement cluster

The National Monuments Service's description

In the medieval period Golden was an important crossing point on the River Suir and as such became a strategic location to control. It is likely that the medieval settlement at Golden occupied much the same area as the present village. The present 15th/16th bridge (TS060-097002-), which was defended by a tower house (TS060-097001-), probably replaced an earlier bridge. A 13th/14th-century building (TS060-097014-) was uncovered during archaeological excavations on the E bank of the river, on the S side of the town, c. 100m E of the tower house (Moran 2006, 466-7; 2007, 410). Archaeological excavations have also revealed 13th/14th-century occupation on the SW edge of the fair green where the old school house was located (Moran 2008, 352). There is no trace above ground of the medieval church of Relickmurry (TS060-097004-) which appears to have been located on the N side of the village, in the C of I graveyard (TS060-097009-), though some medieval architectural fragments have been found in the graveyard (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993, 107-8). The 17th-century Down Survey map (1655-6) depicts a castle and three houses at Golden. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) ‘James Earle of Ormond’ was proprietor of ‘Goulden’ and ‘Upon this lands stands a castle w[i]th a bridge uppon a pass betwixt the same and Religmurry with some thatcht houses Inhabitted’ (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 7). A 17th-century building (TS060-097012-) was also uncovered at the E end of the bridge, S of the road (Moran 2000, 194). Underlying this building was evidence of ironworking which, based on associated pottery, appeared to be pre-13th century in date (Moran 2000, 194).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 19 February 2013

References

Moran, J. 2006 Hoops' Lot, Golden: Urban medieval/post-medieval. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2003: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 466-7. Bray. Wordwell.

Moran, J. 2000 Main Street, Golden: Urban medieval and post-medieval. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1998: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 194. Bray. Wordwell.

Farrelly, J. and FitzPatrick, E. 1993 Urban archaeological survey - county Tipperary (South Riding) (2 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1934 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. II: county of Tipperary - Western and Northern baronies. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

White, J.D. 1892 Anthologia Tipperariensis. Cashel.