2010:817 - RYLEEN (3), Wexford

Excavations at Ryleen 3 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 at Ryleen 3 revealed evidence of fulacht fiadh activity in the form of a rectangular trough. This was orientated in an east-north-east/west-south-west direction and measured 3.1m in length, 2m in width and 0.4m in depth. An isolated stake-hole truncated the base of this feature towards its centre, while a cluster of five stake-holes truncated the north-easternmost corner. These were all circular to subcircular in plan with varying dimensions of 0.07–0.13m long, 0.05–0.13m wide and 0.12–0.21m deep. Overlying the stake-holes and filling the trough were numerous deposits, several of which contained heat-affected stones and charcoal.

Several deposits of burnt-mound material, composed of black silty sands with charcoal and heat-affected stones, were also identified at Ryleen 3. The main spread was orientated in a west-north-west/east-south-east direction and measured 11.9m in length, 4.3m in width and 0.45m in depth.

In addition to the trough and burnt spread, eight pits were recorded throughout the site. These were circular, oval or irregular in plan and measured between 0.63m and 5.8m in length, 0.51m and 1.92m in width and 0.25m and 0.55m in depth; their fills all comprised silty sands or sandy silts with charcoal and heat-affected stone. A stockpile of unburnt stone, which ranged in size from 30mm by 60mm by 70mm to 70mm by 120mm by 180mm, was also identified in close proximity to the trough.

Post-medieval activity was also in evidence at Ryleen 3 in the form of a drainage ditch, plough furrow and linear feature.