- GREAT ISLAND, CO. WEXFORD, Wexford

Introduction
In January 1979 human remains were uncovered at Great Island, near Kilmokea, Co. Wexford, during the excavation of a trench for water pipes. The trench where the bone was discovered was cut in an approximately north–south line. Human bone had apparently been found in the vicinity in previous years, but the discovery had not been reported at the time. This discovery was reported to the NMI and the site was investigated by Mary Cahill. The remains were badly damaged as the area had been disturbed to a depth of 1m. The human remains were analysed by Professor C.A. Erskine. This report is based on Mary Cahill’s account of the excavation and on Professor Erskine’s anatomical report.

Location (Fig. 6.56)
The site is in the townland of Great Island, south-west Co. Wexford, close to the banks of the River Suir.⁹³ It lies at an altitude of 15–30m above sea level. A number of monuments are recorded in the vicinity, including a Leper Hospital, a ringwork and a castle.⁹⁴

Description of site
Human remains were visible along the length of the trench, but one burial had been placed in a stone coffin and is described here. It consisted of a neatly constructed tomb built of stones and mortar. Two portions of the tomb survived—one in either face of the section. The grave would originally have measured c. 2.1m in length but had been cut right through during the excavation of the trench (Fig. 6.57). The eastern portion of the structure, which survived to a length of 0.6m, consisted of a stone-built compartment of trapezoidal plan that narrowed slightly from 0.5m to 0.35m. The grave was roofed by a large slab, approximately 0.1m high, with one or two very thin slabs inserted above. The floor in this area was hard and compacted. The western section was more severely damaged and the covering slab was missing. The width of this portion of the tomb varied from 0.4m to 0.3m. The floor was formed of two slabs, one on top of the other, which formed the resting place for the skull. In this way the skull appears to have been raised slightly above the level of the rest of the body. The sides were formed of rectangular stones held with mortar, forming a very well-built ‘niche’ for the head and neck. It was not possible to suggest how the central portion of the tomb was constructed or what width it assumed owing to the complete destruction of this area.

The skull and some ribs survived in the western section and the lower leg bones in the eastern section. The bones were in very poor condition and tended to break and crumble when moved. Some fragments of fabric from what appeared to be a loosely woven woollen garment survived, together with some pieces of thin leather around the feet. The human remains collected at the site were found to be those of two adult individuals (2010:88).

Comment
The method of grave construction using mortared stones suggests that this burial dates from the medieval period but it is not possible to be more precise. The identification of the site as a leper hospital also suggests a medieval date, although it cannot be said with any certainty that the remains discovered relate to such a use of the site. The anatomical report does not note anything that would relate to leprosy or a similar condition.

HUMAN REMAINS
C.A. ERSKINE

2010:88—incomplete skeletal remains of two adult individuals. First skeleton: male. Skull: complete, except for right ramus of mandible; teeth show moderate wear; vault shows marked parietal eminences. Remainder of this skeleton incomplete: vertebrae and pelvic bones absent. Long bones: upper limb represented by two pieces of scapula and clavicle. Lower end of both humeri and upper ulnae and upper and lower ends of radii present; hand bones absent. Lower limb: large pieces of both femora, tibiae complete with fragment of fibulae and left talus.

Second skeleton: female. Eight frontal and parietal fragments of skull present; mandible absent. Vertebrae: three fragments of cervical vertebrae, atlas nearly complete. Limb bones: represented by six fragments of scapula, fragment humeri, femora, tibia, fibula. A few fragments of ribs and part of iliac bone present. Two animal bones present.

93. Parish of Kilmokea, barony of Shelbourne. OS 6in. sheet 39. IGR 268440 115431.
94. SMR WX039-028001- to WX039-021005-.