2011:629 - RAMSTOWN, Wexford

Planning permission for the demolition of an existing residence (Carnivan House) and the construction of a replacement low-level single-storey dwelling, together with associated car-parking area, effluent treatment area and general site development works at Ramstown, Fethard, required that all general site preparation works, including removal of former floor slabs, foundations and all topsoil-stripping be monitored.

The development area is located within the Zone of Archaeological Potential established for Baginbun (WX050-015), the site of one of the earliest landing areas associated with the Anglo-Norman invasion. Baginbun Head includes a promontory fort (WX050-01501) which was refortified by a small military force of Anglo-Normans under Raymond Le Gros in 1170 and was subsequently successfully defended from an attack by an Irish/Hiberno-Norse army from Waterford. Following defeat of the Irish/Anglo-Norse army and the execution of their leaders, the neck of the headland was fortified by the construction of an earthwork of two banks and two ditches; a section of this linear earthwork (WX050-01502) forms the southern boundary to the development area. In addition, the earthworks are classified as a National Monument and, consequently, the development works were subject to Ministerial Consent.

All topsoil-stripping/general ground reductions onto the surfaces of the underlying subsoils were monitored. The topsoil was stripped and removed in spits, with each spit subject to metal-detecting and visual inspection. In addition, the removed topsoil was raked through in an attempt to maximise the retrieval of any possible artefactual material.

Ground reduction works/topsoil-stripping of the area of the new house and associated construction storage/activity areas, effluent treatment area and associated pipe route, car-parking area, garden paths and maintenance way for effluent treatment areas were monitored. No subsurface features of archaeological interest were uncovered and no artefacts of archaeological interest were recovered.