2015:144 - Swords Castle, Swords, Dublin

Swords Castle, which is a National Monument (No. 340), a recorded monument (DU011-034001-) and protected structure (No. 351), is located at the northern end of the Main street at its junction of North Street and Bridge Street within the historic town of Swords (DU011-035----).
The Swords Castle: Digging History-Fingal Community Excavation Project 2015/16 was designed to address the research and knowledge gaps identified in the Swords Castle Conservation Plan (2014) http://www.fingal.ie/planning-and-buildings/architectural-conservation/conservationplansandreports/ and to inform the urban identity of the developing Swords Castle Cultural Quarter Masterplan (2015). It aimed to assess the veracity of geophysical survey results undertaken by Target Surveys in 2011; enable a conservation and stabilization programme by informing the structural engineering works and engage the community with the castle through archaeological excavation and a series of related events. Excavation of Trenches (1-3) and Pits (A-D) took place over a four week period from 17 August-11 September 2015.
Trench 1 (8m x 2m north-south) was excavated to natural subsoil, a maximum depth of 1.17m. Geophysical survey had indicated the presence of structural remains and the excavation confirmed this to be the case. There was at least two phases of wall-building. The earliest survived as the base of an east-west medieval wall (F14) which had a defining function. To the north was a metalled surface (F45) with very thin layers of fishbone-rich deposits alternating with relatively sterile layers. South of the wall there were several phases of medieval activity and the remnants of a later-medieval north-south wall (F9). Post-medieval disturbance resulted in wall collapse and formation of a consolidation layer (F3) which was truncated by a large modern pit.
Trench 2 (5m x 2m east-west) was excavated to natural subsoil, a maximum depth of 0.88m. Geophysical survey had identified an amorphous anomaly close to an extant orchard. The location of this trench was relatively close to where in situ burials had been identified by Fanning in 1971 and Moraghan in 2014, and it was a question as to whether burial had extended this far north. Only fragments of disarticulated humans remains were recovered and in similar quantities to elsewhere within the site, doubtless the result of later disturbance of burials by cultivation. The archaeological layers within Trench 2 followed the sloping topography in this area. A single medieval pit (F19) was cut into subsoil, through an artefact-rich layer which was sealed by a rough metalled surface (F5), from which medieval pottery was retrieved. A post-medieval consolidation layer similar to that in Trench 1 was overlain by topsoil.
Trench 3 (5m x 2m east-west) was located on low ground to the west of the precinct and natural subsoil was identified at a depth of 1.1m. An amorphous anomaly identified in this area by geophysical survey was confirmed as a series of intercutting medieval pits associated with a metalled surface (F50) and a hearth (F27). A variety of medieval artefacts were recovered from these pits indicating 12th-14th-century date for this activity. A later medieval metalled surface (F20) sealed the pit activity with a high proportion of iron nails of different types recovered.
Pit A
Excavation took place under the arch spring of the remnants of a vault within the northern mural tower. The base of the arch was established, from which a recessed wall extended southwards. Within the building there was a clay floor upon which were two decorated floor tiles. Burnt stone associated with a thick layer of heat-affected soil indicates an event, either demolition or accidental, that possibly resulted in roof collapse. In the post-medieval or modern period mortar was dumped into the internal corner of this building.
Pit B
Excavation at the junction of the towering east gable and the curtain wall established that a wall extended westwards from the gable. A small north-south wall at foundation level of the eastern gable appears to have been used as a retaining wall while construction of the curtain wall was undertaken. Later interference was apparent, internal to the curtain wall and eastern gable, resulting in truncation of the structural remains.
Pits C and D
These pits were located at the junctions of each end of what is a bowing and uneven section of the eastern curtain wall. It was established in both pits that this section of wall is of 19th-century construction, its base being ascertained at 0.4m below present ground level in Pit C and 0.2m in Pit D.
The 2015 season of excavation has established the presence of previously unknown structures and medieval activity within the precinct of Swords Castle and confirmed the potential for surviving in situ archaeology as identified on the geophysical survey. The test-pits A-D have contributed to our knowledge of the phasing of the buildings and the curtain wall. It has also established that a portion of the extant wall was rebuilt in the second half of the 19th century. Further post-excavation analysis will allow for the development of a definitive chronology for the activity uncovered. The results of the first environmental analysis of material from Swords Castle will be particularly interesting, contributing to our knowledge of the landscape of the site and the specific function of some of the features within it. Early indications are of large quantities of agricultural produce, including charred grains of wheat, oat and barley, and legume seeds (McClatchie pers. comm.)
A particular aim of Swords Castle: Digging History was to engage the wider public with the national monument in their midst. The participation of 103 volunteers in the excavation, countless visitors to the site and the ongoing participation in events such as After the Dig-behind the scenes at the National Museum, at the Collections Resource Centre, and enthusiasm for future events, indicates that this has been successfully achieved.