County: Waterford Site name: MAYPARK
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E0068
Author: Orla Scully
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 663010m, N 611455m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.251201, -7.077181
Testing in the Maypark Catchment Area was undertaken as an engineering project before Phase 2 of the Waterford Main Drainage Scheme. The engineering test-pits covered a route both north and south of the River Suir. Investigations north of the river in south County Kilkenny were monitored under a separate licence (Excavations 2001, No. 677, 01E0959).
Fourteen trenches were monitored. Trenches 10, 11, 14 and 21 had significant quantities of shell, predominantly cockle. This is to be expected in the estuarine silts, but they may in some instances be the remains of a shell midden, which may indicate evidence of a habitation site. The same is true for the signs of burning. Evidence of burning was noted in Test-pit 10 at 1.2m below the surface and in Test-pit 16 at 0.55m below the surface. Post-medieval domestic midden material was retrieved from Test-pit 19, to the west of Ballinakill House.
The slit- and test-trenches were small and well spaced along the route. Therefore it cannot be inferred that archaeological remains do not survive along the entire route proposed for the pipeline.
There is a strong possibility that earlier dumping associated with Ballinakill House will be unearthed during pipeline construction, and perhaps some activities associated with the original tower-house will come to light.
Areas of rich marine resources have a potential for habitation or seasonal encampments. The estuary is a likely area for the survival of fulachta fiadh.
It is recommended that all further works associated with the excavation of the pipeline and the construction of the wastewater treatment plant be monitored.
7 Bayview, Tramore, Co. Waterford
