2025:385 - Deerpark, Outer Ring Road, Williamstown (Phase 2B), Waterford

Archaeological test excavations were carried out on 30 June 2025, in relation to the construction of Phase 2B of a large multi-phase mixed housing development at Deerpark, Outer Ring Road, Williamstown, Waterford.

The preceding Phase 2A area, which comprises the remainder of the containing field, was previously subjected to test excavations under licence no. 25E0357 (Excavation Bulletin no. 2025:123)

Testing comprised the excavation of twelve targeted test trenches. The test trenches were primarily focused on the footprint of the proposed development. A thirteenth trench (Trench 8) had initially been proposed; however, as the proposed trench location was found to be in an area occupied by an existing live ESB service, this trench was not excavated.

The excavated test-trenches were 2m in width and varied in length from 18–40m. Maximum depth varied from 0.05–0.68m.

The development area had been previously subjected to extensive groundworks undertaken within the past few years, with the result that all of the topsoil and possibly some of the subsoil material had already been removed throughout the site prior to archaeological assessment and testing. For this reason, the excavated trenches were for the most part extremely shallow i.e. less than 0.15m in depth, with excavated material comprising the residual subsoil overlying natural.

No archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified in any of the excavated test-trenches.