2012:601 - MATTHEWSTOWN, Waterford

In July 2012 test trenches were cut in the footprint of proposed new buildings at the Matthewstown pig unit, Fenor, Co. Waterford. A circular enclosure recorded on the first edition OS survey did not encroach on the site, but a group of features was investigated in the vicinity in August. Three pits, probably post-medieval, had been backfilled with the excavated subsoil and field clearance stones, and may have been test pits for mineral exploration.

In September groundworks for the largest building were monitored. A small iron furnace and grain dryer were found. Charred oat, which dominated the grain samples, provided a C-14 date of 783±29BP (UBA-22723). Hazel charcoal from the small iron furnace provided a date of 1963±32BP (UBA-22724). No further (possible) mineral exploration pits were found.