County: Wexford Site name: Tintern
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WX045–027 Licence number: CO79, E2033, 06R0125
Author: Tracy Collins, Aegis Archaeology Ltd, 32 Nicholas Street, King’s Island, Limerick.
Site type: Abbey
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 679378m, N 610118m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.237071, -6.837822
Limited excavations were carried out on behalf of the DoEHLG in advance of a constructed wetland, to improve visitor facilities at the site. Three trenches were excavated to house a septic tank and associated piping. Trench 1 measured 2m by 6m and varied in depth from 0.8m to 2m; Trench W, 15m in length, and Trench E, 9m in length, both measured 0.5m in width, but, due to the slope of the ground, the depth varied between 0.6m to over 2m. Archaeological features dating to the post-medieval and early modern periods of the abbey were uncovered.
A large stone revetment wall measuring 1m in width and 1.5m in height was noted at the eastern end of Trench 1, which was interpreted as dating to the medieval phase of the monastery. Finds included roof slates, shell, two fragments of dressed sandstone, medieval pottery, floor and ridge tiles. Due to the discovery of the revetment wall within Trench 1, geophysics was undertaken in an area around Trench 1 to ascertain the route of the revetment wall. The geophysics highlighted several anomalies surrounding Trench 1 and so it was agreed that the proposed pipe at this location could be placed through the upper section of the wall, under archaeological supervision. This work is to be undertaken presently.
