2013:501 - Limerick, Wexford

Test trenching, with limited excavation, was carried out at the site on the south-western side of Limerick cross-roads, 6km from Gorey. The field is bounded by the ruins of Limerick castle (WX003-024) to the west, a now levelled earthwork (WX003-025) to the south-east and a church and graveyard (WX003-026001/2) at east. This was part of a wider feasibility study to establish the extent of archaeological remains and the suitability of the site as an archaeological field school. Prior to works the previously unrecorded site could be seen as a series of low earthworks and was reputed to be the location of Limerick village.

Geophysical survey conducted by Martina McCarthy (12R118) found a series of parallel linear features, possible pits and surfaces, a stream channel and a large curvilinear feature. A small area in the field to the south was also surveyed and indicated a sub-circular multivallate enclosure of c. 40m here. Six trenches were inserted to best assess the potential features identified by geophysics. These trenches revealed denuded banks, possible fence-lines, possible mettled surfaces and numerous furrows. The thin overlying topsoil contained fragments of clay pipes, post-medieval pottery, red brick fragments, iron slag, a wrought iron nail and a single flint lithic. The latter came from the surface of a compacted gravel which had probably originated elsewhere. These trenches confirmed most of the results of the geophysical survey, showing the field had been separated into long plots and the present roadway to the north was the roadway that had led through the plantation village. Two key-hole trenches were excavated within the test trenches; one at the westernmost trench (Area 1) and one at the centre of the site (Area 2).

The excavation at Area 1 measured 1.5m x 1.5m and intersected the large curvilinear feature seen in the geophysical survey. The south-western edge of a large ditch was found. This had a steep to vertical side, 1m in depth, to a flat base. The width of the ditch might be estimated at approx. 2.5m at the upper edges. The fills comprised silts and gravels, all of which were archaeologically sterile. Much of this material had probably been up-cast from the same ditch. Once the ditch had fallen out of use a dark layer of silt filled the remaining depression. Several fragments of late medieval pottery were recovered from this layer. This entire area was then levelled by introducing a 0.3m thick layer of reddish brown gravelly silt, presumably a landscaping event related to the demesne surrounding the castle to the west.

Measuring 2.5m x 1.5m, Area 2 was located over the centrally located bank. The earliest feature here was that of a north-west/south-east slot trench. This was 0.22m in width and 0.14m in depth with vertical sides. While this could have been a structural slot, it is more likely that it functioned as a fence line. Once disused, two furrows were cut through the area (along the same orientation). These were 0.1m in depth, 0.6m in width and 0.35m apart. Interestingly, they were entirely filled with soil rich in iron slag – denoting industrial activity nearby. The bank had then collapsed over these earlier features. The bank was formed of clayey gravel and must have been supported at one end by a wall that was perhaps robbed-out.

Reference:

Harte A. 2013. The History and Archaeology of Limerick Village, Co. Wexford. In Journal of the Wexford Historical Society, No. 24, pp 38-49.

Address: Munster Archaeology, Butlerstown, Bandon, Co. Cork.