Bodies discovered in pub dig could be from 18th century

THE remains of six people found under a pub were being examined by an archaeologist yesterday.

Skeletal remains believed to be from the 18th century were discovered beneath Nancy Spain’s in Cork city, which is being knocked down to build social housing.

Parts of one body were dug up earlier this month, sparking fears they were linked to a crime.

Now a further five skeletons have been found, leading experts to believe the site in Barrack Street could be a historic burial ground.

Cork City Council archaeologist

Ciara Brett told RTE news yesterday the remains are definitely human and are being carefully recorded in place before removal for further analysis, which will include radio-carbon dating.

She said the excavation will be completed by the end of the week.

The remains will then be examined by a specialist osteoarchaeologist who should be able to “identify quite a lot of things, such as the sex of the individuals, possible age of them, whether they are adult or juvenile”.

It could also be possible to identify various diseases and possibly the manner in which they died.

Ms Brett said the groundworks at the site are located within the former suburbs of the medieval city of Cork and have important historical significance.

According to the history books, there was fighting in the area around Elizabeth Forth and nearby Catt’s Barracks during the siege of Cork in September 1690, after Marlborough arrived in Cork Harbour with over 80 ships and 5,000 men. General John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough had been sent by King William to regain control of rebel Cork from the Jacobite forces, shortly after the Battle of the Boyne.