1978:014 - GREENCASTLE, Antrim

A threatened, apparently rectangular, earthwork was thought to be the site of the 17th-century castle of Greencastle, and was excavated over 6 weeks at the end of 1978. It was found that the surface features were of post-medieval date. A large expanse of flint nodules and limestone fragments was uncovered, interpreted as a possible plinth on which a timber structure was erected. No standing remains related to this were found. Beneath the flint layer a large hollow filled with layers of silty clay and some organic refuse was found. Included in these layers were quantities of 18th-century pottery. A deep section located undisturbed sub-soil at a depth of 1.5m. Pottery from this lowest level was no older than the 17th century, and it would appear that the ground level in the northern half of the field was deliberately raised in the last 300 years. Other trenches in the field failed to locate archaeological deposits earlier than AD1700 although occasional residual medieval pottery fragments were found. The results of this excavation were therefore disappointing, although the remains were at least shown not to be those of an earlier fort or castle.