2016:636 - Ballyorril 3, Wexford

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Wexford Site name: Ballyorril 3

Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: E004787

Author: Yvonne Whitty, IAC Ltd

Site type: Pits, linear features, spreads

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 697169m, N 643467m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.533878, -6.567758

Ballyorril 3 was identified as a result of archaeological monitoring of ground works during the construction stage of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP Scheme. Monitoring was carried out in 18 previously untested areas under Excavation Registration Number E004646 and Ministerial Direction A054.

Ballyorril 3 was a site consisting of four pits, two spreads, three linear features and an extant townland boundary. On the northern edge of the site a single pit, C4, was recorded with evidence for in situ burning and containing slag. Approximately 50m to the south-east a cluster of three pits were recorded; two larger ones, C22 and C24, roughly 1.8m by 1.1m and 0.4m deep, and a smaller one, C27, 0.7m in diameter and 0.11m deep. Each of these pits had at least one fill containing heat-affected stone representing waste from industrial activity.

Two spreads of burnt material, C5 and C6, were also recorded further south (c. 28–40m away) which contained inclusions of heat-affected stone and charcoal flecks. This suggests a possible relationship with the aforementioned pits as features resulting from industrial activity.

Three linear features crossed the site, of which C30 appears to be the earliest. This east-west ditch was truncated on its northern edge by east-south-east/west-north-west ditch C7 which was in turn cut by later linear feature, C17. The deposits filling C30 appear to be contemporary with the natural siltation of C7 suggesting that both features were open at the same period. These linear features probably reflect an earlier boundary or drainage system between the townlands of Ballyorril to the north and Moyne Middle to the south; before the establishment of the extant townland boundary, C35.

Ballyorril 3 was crossed on an east-west axis by the townland boundary (C35) between Ballyorril (north) and Moyne Middle (south). This boundary also delineates the parishes of Monart in the north and St Mary’s, Enniscorthy in the south. It comprised of an earthen bank with two shallow water-filled ditches either side. The local road which forms the eastern limit of site also forms the boundary with the two adjacent townlands of Moyne Lower and Coolnahorna. A number of modern agricultural furrows, a result of afforestation, were noted on the sloping ground to the north of the townland boundary. The archaeology of this site was confined to these two townlands.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow