2013:170 - Ballycullane to Saltmills and Saltmills to Fethard on Sea, Wexford

Monitoring was carried out as part of the Wexford Water Conservation Project between Ballycullane and Saltmills and between Duncannon and Haggard Bridge. The scheme was later extended to include a section between Saltmills south-west to Pollfur Bridge and south along the R734 to a point north of Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford. The proposed works had been the subject of a previous assessment undertaken by Mary Henry, Archaeological Services (2011?). The assessment concluded that the proposed works, all to be carried along the existing carriageway, will not have a significant archaeological impact and recommended that site inspections take place on a periodic basis. It did however highlight one area in proximity to Pollfur Bridge where traces of lime mortar had been found in a test pit.

The Pollfur Bridge section was monitored between 7 and 10 January 2013. The stratigraphy consisted of two layers of modern tarmac and road-base approximately 0.35m in depth. Below this was a re-deposited clay with few inclusions continuing to the base of the trench. The material above the bridge was infilled in the late 19th century when, based on historic maps, the access road was diverted to the north. This was presumably done to remove a hairpin bend and level out the gradient leading to the bridge. The infilled material was probably quarried from a nearby hill. There was no finds or features identified on or to the north and south of the bridge, nor was there any evidence of lime mortar as previously recorded.

Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd (MOORE GROUP)3 Gort Na Rí, Athenry, Co. Galway