County: Wexford Site name: Drumgold 7
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: E004788
Author: Yvonne Whitty, IAC
Site type: Kiln, boundary ditches and pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 699890m, N 638650m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.490104, -6.529111
Drumgold 7 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.
Excavation at Drumgold 7 revealed eight pits, three kilns (one rounded and two keyhole-shaped) and four small spreads of burnt stone and charcoal-rich silty clay, possibly representing forms of industrial activity. These features were scattered across the site, separated by two perpendicular boundary ditches, one running north-east/south-west and one running north-west/south-east. The former boundary ditch was re-cut by two drains, one of which contained a collapsed stone box drain. This ditch and drains connected with the north-west/south-east boundary ditch and at this junction the drain was reinforced by the presence of a wall footing. The north-west/south-east boundary ditch appeared to have been repeatedly re-cut with approximately six phases of activity noted. Spreads of colluvium or hill wash were recorded on site, as well as a modern drain containing a clay drainage pipe and an agricultural furrow.
A total of 17 artefacts were recovered during the excavation at Drumgold, including flint flakes, sherds of pottery, copper alloy mount and a button or coin.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
