2005:1638 - CASTLELAND, FERNS, Wexford

A test excavation was carried out in Castleland, Ferns, in May 2005. A total of 27 test-trenches were excavated across the site. Several small areas could not be tested due to the presence of derelict buildings, disused cars, caravans, heavy rubble and concrete slabs. The excavation uncovered the remains of a cobbled yard, drains, walls and gullies, which are possibly the remains of the farmyard complex depicted on the 1904 OS map. No features from the medieval period were found, which suggested that the site had previously been cleared to facilitate these later buildings. The cobbled surfaces that spread over much of the development site may cover additional archaeological features. The artefacts found all dated to the post-medieval period and generally consisted of a few sherds of brownware and several corroded iron implements.