2026:165 - Ballycarney, Wexford

A programme of archaeological testing was undertaken to study the impact (if any) of a proposed solar farm development on the archaeological and historical resources that may exist on the site. A geophysical survey was conducted in February 2025 which informed the test trenching strategy (Dowling 2026, Licence No. 26R0058). No definitive archaeological remains were indicated by this survey however some features of archaeological potential were noted.

Topsoil was consistent across the site comprising of a light brown sandy clay measuring 0.4m in depth. This overlay a brownish-orange silty sand subsoil with occasional shale stone outcrops.

Archaeological investigations uncovered a single area of archaeological significance, designated AA1, comprising of three closely-spaced pits. The features corresponded with targeted geophysical anomalies. The largest of these pits (C3.1) measures 2.6m x 1.5m. All contained brown silty clay fills with the pit C3.2 also having an additional clayey silt fill with frequent inclusions of charcoal flecks. No artefactual or diagnostic material was recovered to indicate a chronology, however the absence of such may suggest a probable prehistoric date. The features may be related to similar features recorded during investigations of a site 250m to the east (Licence 25E0069, Lacey 2025). Evidence of root activity and burning was recorded across the site. While no evidence of past agricultural activity in the form of cultivation furrows was recorded, a single relict field boundary, visible on early historic mapping of the site, was recorded traversing the western portion of the site.

Plan of excavated test trenches