County: Waterford Site name: Abbeyside, Dungarvan
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WA031–040 Licence number: 02E1727 ext.
Author: Enda O’Mahony, Eachtra Archaeological Projects, The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork.
Site type: Medieval
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 626604m, N 593027m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.088526, -7.611784
Short phases of archaeological work have taken place at Abbeyside since 2002. The work has been done in association with different phases of construction works associated with a housing development. The latest phase of excavation concentrated on the south-east quadrant of the site. A previous phase of testing, in conjunction with geophysical analysis, highlighted a number of linear features.
Excavation of a 200m2 area revealed six linear ditches. Over 150 sherds of medieval pottery were recovered. The orientation of the ditches would suggest they formed part of a relict field system. In the centre of the site a rectangular stone-lined pit was excavated. A sherd of modern pottery was the only artefact recorded in the pit. The pit may be associated with the orchard that once occupied the site.
