County: Wexford Site name: N30 REALIGNMENT, Moneytucker to Jamestown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E1050 and 01E1051
Author: Emmet Stafford for ADS Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 689672m, N 635904m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.467204, -6.680265
Testing was undertaken on behalf of Wexford County Council along the greenfield areas of the proposed N30 realignment. The route, which passed through several townlands between Moneytucker and Jamestown, covered a distance of over 4km. Archaeological investigations began at construction chainage 7330 and were completed at chainage 11680.
With the exception of five areas where the continuity of the investigations was interrupted, a central trench was pulled down the entire length of the roadline, with regular offsets to either side of the centre. Where potential archaeological deposits were uncovered, they were further investigated by hand. When an initial interpretation of archaeological significance was made, the nature and position of features and deposits were recorded. The features were then covered in polythene and reburied.
Ten sites of possible archaeological significance were uncovered. The estimated size of these sites varied from 25m2 to 6750m2.
Very few datable artefacts were retrieved from the features investigated along the roadline. However, it is likely that the sites uncovered span a significant period, perhaps dating from as recently as the 18th century to as far back as several thousand years BC.
Licence 01E1050 was issued for the testing of an area to the north of the existing N30 opposite Rossdroit Church (SMR 25:11) in the townland of Moneytucker (between chainage 7350 and 7950). The proposed realignment of the N30 runs c. 50m to the north of this ruined medieval parish church with a subrectangular graveyard. A separate testing licence was issued for the testing of this area owing to the likelihood that features associated with the church may extend into the lands required for the proposed road.
One archaeological site (Site 1) and one area of possible archaeological activity (Site 2) were identified under this licence.
Licence 01E1051 was issued for the testing of the remainder of the lands required for the proposed road, which is situated to the south of the existing N30 (between chainage 7950 and 11800). These lands are in the townlands of Moneytucker, Coolamurry, Templescoby and Clohass. The route passes through agricultural lands and crosses one watercourse, an unnamed tributary of the Boro River.
Six archaeological sites and two areas of possible archaeological activity (Sites 3 and 9) were identified under this licence.
Pre-construction excavation of these sites, which range from small areas of metalworking and ploughed-out burnt mounds to larger areas characterised by substantial subsoil-cut ditches, will be the first major archaeological investigation in this part of County Wexford.
Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3
