2002:1930 - WEXFORD: White’s Hotel, Abbey Street/Main Street North, Wexford

Testing was undertaken in two areas to the rear of White’s Hotel, North Main Street, Wexford, as part of a pre-planning assessment. Area 1, which fronts onto Abbey Street, was within the existing carpark adjacent to the old library building. Area 2 was in the laneway connecting the rear of White’s Hotel with Cornmarket Street.

In Area 1 a basal deposit of organic silt was present intermittently in the seven test-trenches. This horizon occurred at c. 1–1.5m below present ground level and survived best toward the rear of the carpark, where intrusive activity was less. The layer produced both medieval and 17th-century pottery sherds but is likely to be medieval in origin.

In Area 2 a basal deposit of black organic silt was present at a depth of 1.25m. This was recorded toward the western end of the laneway and represents the medieval horizon, possibly the back yards of properties that fronted onto Cornmarket Street. A stone setting laid on this organic silt may also be medieval. A layer of black sandy silt of 17th-century date overlay the medieval stratigraphy; this later deposit was recorded throughout the trench in areas undisturbed by modern activity. It is likely that further undisturbed medieval layers underlie this 17th-century horizon.

Owing to the presence of existing services, it was not possible to examine some of the open areas of the site. It was recommended that these areas be included in a schedule of further testing as part of the proposed redevelopment strategy. It will also be necessary to undertake testing on the site of any standing buildings proposed for demolition.

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