During pre-development excavations in 1997, archaeologist Martin Reid uncovered the foundations of what appears to be an urban tower house, complete with a substantial battered masonry wall running over two metres deep along the southern side of Poyntz Lane. These sturdy remains hint at a significant medieval structure that once stood proudly at the rear of what are now numbers 25 and 26 on High Street.

The tower house would have originally fronted onto High Street, serving as both a residence and defensive structure typical of medieval Irish towns. When the current buildings at 25 and 26 High Street were constructed in the mid-18th century, they likely incorporated some of the original medieval fabric into their walls; a common practice that saw older structures recycled rather than completely demolished. This architectural palimpsest means that visitors walking past these Georgian facades are unknowingly encountering fragments of Kilkenny’s medieval past.

While much of the medieval wall was demolished during the apartment development, the decision was made to preserve the remaining portions in situ below the formation level of the new buildings. This means that these ancient foundations continue to rest beneath the modern structures, a silent testament to the layers of history that lie beneath Kilkenny’s streets. The preservation of these remains ensures that future generations might one day have the opportunity to study and perhaps even reveal more of this intriguing tower house that once dominated this corner of medieval Kilkenny.