County: Wexford Site name: WEXFORD: Waterloo Road
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E1806
Author: Emmet Stafford, Stafford McLoughlin Archaeology
Site type: Ecclesiastical enclosure
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 704524m, N 621679m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.336755, -6.466198
Monitoring of geotechnical test-pit excavation was undertaken at the site of a proposed development at Waterloo Road, Wexford, on 3 December 2002. The site was within the zone of archaeological potential of Wexford town, immediately south and west of another proposed development site (No. 1940, Excavations 2002, 02E1684).
Little of archaeological significance was uncovered in most of the test-pits. The fill of one large subsoil-cut feature was, however, revealed toward the northern limit of the site. It is possible that the brown humic material uncovered represents the fill of a linear feature uncovered during the testing of the adjacent site (C11, No. 1940, Excavations 2002). The feature, which appeared to run south-east/north-west, may represent an enclosing ditch, possibly associated with the site of the Franciscan priory (SMR 37:32(19)) immediately north-east of the proposed development site. The priory was established in 1230 and was described at the suppression of the monasteries as consisting of a house, chapterhouse, belfry, dormitory, hall and kitchen, with other buildings.
Further monitoring will be undertaken in 2003.
Unit 4, Enniscorthy Enterprise Centre, Milehouse Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
