2023:802 - Greatisland and Kilmannock, Wexford

Licensed archaeological testing at Greatisland and Kilmannock townlands, Co. Wexford was undertaken in September 2023. A series of 32 test trenches with a total linear meterage of c.1060m was opened across the footprint of proposed grid substations, temporary compound’s site and access track of proposed solar farm.

The thin basal remains of an 18th/19th-century brick clamp were discovered in trench T18.  The discovered clamp is linear in plan, oriented north-east/south-west and measures 17m in length and 2.5m in width. A small investigation sondage was dug in the mid-section of the clamp revealing a general shallow 0.2m thickness of the feature. The thin basal remains of this brick clamp were manifest by intensive burning/heat-affected ground and frequent poorly-fired red brick fragments. A large amount of small, well-rounded river-derived stone was noted beneath. The stone most likely reflects riverine/marine deposition as this area had been reclaimed from the sea.

Nothing of archaeological interest was found in any of the other test trenches.