2007:1952 - Dunbrody Abbey, Wexford

This project commenced in October and was completed in November 2007. It comprised archaeological excavations within the cloisters, parlour, chapter room, bookstore and two external trenches to the south-east of the cloisters.
The cloisters
The cloister garth and ambulatory were taken down to the medieval surface and cleaned, with all features recorded in plan.
The entire garth was excavated down to the medieval level with more detailed excavation in pre-selected locations.
The excavation of the circular lavabo (ø 3.6m) showed that previous excavation had disturbed the original internal structure and the backfill contained a mix of medieval and modern artefacts. The outflowing drain, however, was still mostly intact, with evidence of later graves cutting across the drains within the ambulatory at either end.
A central feature was identified which consisted of a circular area of slate that appeared to be laid in a surface with a central square setting which appeared to have been robbed out in relatively modern times. The setting appeared to be the foundation for an upright structure, possibly a column or cross/sculpture.
During the excavation, 98 pieces of unstratified medieval pottery where found within the cloister garth. There were also four large unstratified pieces of medieval lead piping and a small bronze plate with stamped decoration.
The foundation for the arcade was identified enclosing the garth. This showed evidence of several phases of reconstruction. At the south-east corner, a possible earlier structure was identified which may be the original foundation. The later modification may relate to 19th-century consolidation works within the abbey. Fragments of worked stone were retrieved from both the garth and the ambulatory, and these are believed to be fragments of the arches which formed the arcading.
The ambulatory
Cleaning of the ambulatory identified substantial quantities of disarticulated human bone, indicating the entire area was used as a cemetery.
The five excavated burials consisted of two stone-lined graves, one of which had been previously disturbed (2m by 0.8m) and was therefore lifted for further analysis by an osteoarcheaologist and later re-interred. Three simple burials with shallow grave-cuts, consisting of two adult burials and one juvenile, were identified and left in situ, except for one rib from each skeleton which was removed for carbon dating.
At the southern end, a stone-and-mortar foundation was identified at the base of a scar on the upstanding wall. This is of unknown function but is likely to date to the secular use of the complex in the period after the suppression of the monasteries.
Eastern range
The bookstore, chapter room and parlour were all excavated to the medieval layer and all features were recorded in plan, with further excavation within the bookstore to investigate some robber trenches. Within the three rooms, thirteen sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from the topsoil and 45 pieces of medieval floor tile were also recovered from within the chapter room.
External trenches
Finally, two trenches where excavated at the south-east of the abbey complex between the kitchen area and the porter’s lodge. A total of 105 pieces of pottery and thirteen floor tiles were recovered in this area.
The trench next to the kitchen revealed a substantial drain, with a depth of 1m and a width of 0.76m, which was partially excavated. A foundation trench was also discovered which might belong to a previously unrecorded room in the abbey complex. The majority of the kitchen trench is underneath a post-medieval structure (3.4m by 1.8m), limiting access to features.