1993:231 - RATHDOWN UPPER, Wicklow

The site consists of two large fields, currently under grass. As the landowner wished to develop the site and there were suspected medieval remains the author was approached by A.D.S. to conduct test excavations. This was done between the 26th November and 10th December.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, Rathdown was in the hands of the MacGillamocholmóg, who had been sub-rígh of the King of Leinster. They appear to have built a Norman-style manor at Rathdown. In 1301 St Mary’s Annals of Ireland noted the manor was attacked and burnt by the Leinstermen. By 1313 Rathdown had been conveyed to Nigel le Brun and subsequently a castle is known to have stood nearby. Reports commissioned by The Grove Residents Association from D.L. Swan noted possible medieval features. The eastern field, containing a church called St Crispin’s Cell, and the western field were tested geophysically by Geoquest Associates of Durham, England. Magnetometer and selective resistivity survey of the west field indicated a relatively featureless geophysical terrain. Five small areas had positive magnetic lines which were interpreted as possible shallow ditches. Work in the east field revealed a series of features, possibly shallow ditches, most pronounced in a 40m x 40m area north-west of the church.

The excavation examined the south-western corner of the east field and the “hollow way” which runs in a north–south direction across the western end of this field. A series of trenches was excavated in the west field to assess the deposits there. Sixteen cuttings were excavated but only Cuttings 2 and 14 produced archaeological features.

Cutting 2, situated in the western part of the west field, measured 20m x 1m and was excavated to 0.6m in depth. The stratigraphy consisted of dark brown ploughsoil to a depth of 0.5m overlying the natural grey to orange clay with stones. In the western end of this cutting was situated Feature 1, a functioning land drain and in the eastern part Feature 2 was uncovered. This consisted of an oval pit, 1.95m x 1.55m with sloping sides and measuring 0.44m in internal depth. The fill was a sandy soil, light brown and loosely compacted, covering a black sticky soil with a high charcoal content. The pit contained a single oyster shell and nine pieces of animal bone.

An area centering on Feature 2, measuring 10m x 9m, was opened and the ploughsoil removed. Five features, 3–7, were revealed in the enlarged area. Feature 3 north-east of Feature 2, was a posthole, 0.17m in width and 0.13m in depth. The fill was grey with charcoal staining. There were two stones on the northern edge, a possible post packing. Feature 4, a small oval pit north-west of Feature 3, was 0.26m x 0.14m and 0.14m in depth. The fill contained charcoal.

Feature 5, south-east of Feature 2, was a small pit or posthole, 0.54m in width and 0.21m in depth. It contained a dark organic soil with charcoal and small stones above a light brown sandy soil with a high stone and gravel content. Feature 6, south-east of Feature 5, was an oval posthole 0.25m x 0.15m and 0.25m in depth. It contained a brown soil with charcoal inclusions and small stones which sealed a black organic soil. Feature 7, south-south-west of Feature 2, was a posthole, 0.54m x 0.52m and 0.31m in depth. It contained a brown soil containing charcoal which sealed a layer with no charcoal.

Cutting 14 examined the hollow way. It measured 20m x 1m and was excavated to 1.03m in depth. The stratigraphy consisted of the sod layer which in the position of the hollow way was compressed to only 0.4m in thickness. This overlay a dark brown soil. In the area of the hollow this overlay a stone layer 0.3m in thickness and 3.2m in width. On the western side it abutted the lighter coloured subsoil but on the east it petered out. The surface hollow was not centred on this stone layer as the former’s western edge was nearly in the base of the feature.

Flint was most frequent and accounted for 85 finds. It occurred across the site but entirely in the sod and topsoil. Forty-six percent of the flints were unstruck pebbles, 25% were flakes, 16% were chipped cores and pebbles and 9% were scrapers. The high percentage of unchipped pebbles and chipped pebbles and cores, 62%, in comparison to the low percentage of scrapers, 9%, and their poor quality, suggests that this was a site at which flint pebbles were collected from the nearby shore and were made into artefacts. Pottery, at 29% of the finds, was mostly composed of 19th-century wares. Glazed red wares of possible medieval to 18th century date were scarce and unglazed red ware, of possible early medieval or prehistoric date, were scarcer again. Animal bone accounted for 11% of the finds and iron 7%.

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