2015:354 - NEWTOWN, Wexford
County: Wexford
Site name: NEWTOWN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WX037-028
Licence number: 14E0411
Author: Emmet Stafford, Stafford McLoughlin Archaeology
Author/Organisation Address: Moonrise Farmhouse, Coolballow, Drinagh, Wexford
Site type: Castle - ringwork
Period/Dating: Mesolithic (8000 BC-4001 BC)
ITM: E 701322m, N 623185m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.350883, -6.512717
Excavation was undertaken at the base of the Crimea Monument (a replica round tower), which is located within a medeival ringwork situated in the Irish National Heritage Park. The excavation was undertaken to facilitate the placement of lightning conductor mats for the moumument, which also underwent conservation works. The ringwork at Newtown was erected in 1169 by Robert FitzStephen following the taking of the town of Wexford by the Anglo-Normans. It was the subject of archaeological excavation in the 1980’s by both Isabel Bennett and Claire Cotter, and extensive archaeological remains were excavated.
The current excavation was confined to 2 cuttings at the base of the war memorial and no archaeological remains were uncovered. The construction plinth of the war memorial was, however, uncovered.