2010:811 - Rathgaroge 1, Wexford

Excavations at Rathgaroge 1 were undertaken on behalf of Wexford County Council as part of the Stage (iii) archaeological services contract prior to the commencement of construction of the N25 New Ross bypass road scheme.
Excavation revealed evidence of fulacht fiadh activity in the form of a subrectangular trough measuring 2.5m in length (north-west/south-east), 1.9m in width and 0.7m in depth. Five stake-holes were identified in the base of this trough, one each in the east, north-west and west corners and two in the south-eastern corner. These were circular to irregular in plan and measured between 0.08m and 0.12m in length, 0.04m and 0.12m in width and 0.17m and 0.35m in depth. Overlying these stake-holes and filling the trough were a series of deposits which contained charcoal and stone. A further four possible stake-holes were identified surrounding the eastern corner of the cut. These were circular to irregular in plan and averaged 0.07m long by 0.05m wide by 0.09m deep.
The features described above were all situated beneath a large burnt spread comprising numerous deposits of charcoal and heat-affected stones; it measured 8.8m (north–south) by 6.4m and was 0.19m deep.
A natural hollow in the subsoil, measuring approximately 8.8m (east–west) by 4.8m, was located directly to the west-south-west of the trough. This feature contained charcoal and heat-affected stones within its fills and seemed to have been utilised as a dump for the trough waste. An isolated pit of uncertain function was also identified in close proximity to this feature. It was subcircular in plan and measured 1.89m in length (north-west/south-east), 1.62m in width and 0.32m in depth. Its fill contained large stones and occasional lenses of redeposited natural.
Two post-medieval plough furrows and two linear features were also identified at Rathgaroge 1.