2017:691 - Ballygullen RPA 1, Wexford

A programme of archaeological testing was carried out at a proposed rock processing area (RPA 1), contiguous with the lands acquired by Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for construction of the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP Project by Wexford County Council. RPA 1 was located in the townland of Ballygullen (ITM 710488, 653888), Co. Wexford. Test trenching was undertaken by Tim Coughlan and Yvonne Whitty. This report follows a desktop assessment carried out by IAC Ltd (Tobin and Coughlan 2016).

Test trenching was carried out between 31 January and 2 February 2017. A total of 16 test trenches (incl. 2 additional), measuring 1,753.2 linear metres, were excavated throughout RPA 1. This revealed two Archaeological Areas (AA) which have been designated as Ballygullen 7.

AA 1, located in the northern part of RPA 1, comprises a single pit, C2.1, with evidence of in-situ burning. Pit C2.1 is sub-oval in plan, east–west orientated and measures 1.5m x 0.7m and is 0.39m in depth. Its lower fill comprises a mid-yellowish brown medium sand which is 0.26m in depth and the upper fill comprises a mid-reddish brown fine sand which contains deposits of heat-affected clay and infrequent charcoal flecking. This fill has been interpreted as an area of in-situ burning and is only evident at the northern side of the feature. Two additional trenches were excavated extending from this feature, to the north and to the south, however no further archaeological remains were identified that might have been associated with it.

AA 2, located in the northern part of RPA 1, comprises a single truncated pit, C2.3, with evidence of in-situ burning. This feature was identified in T2 at ITM 710490, 653990, c. 12.3m east of pit C2.1 in AA 1. The east–west aligned pit is sub-oval in plan and measures 0.82m x 0.62m. A slot excavated through the feature indicates a depth of 0.12m. Its fill comprises heat-affected natural which is overlain by a dark brown silty clay with frequent charcoal flecking and occasional heat-affected clay inclusions. This sub-circular pit is truncated by a furrow C2.2. Two additional trenches were excavated extending from this feature to the north and to the south, however no further archaeological remains were identified that might have been associated with the feature.

Groundworks associated with the proposed development of RPA 1 would have a direct negative impact on features designated as Ballygullen 7. It was recommended that the archaeological features be preserved in-situ within a buffer zone (min. 15m) which is to be fenced off in advance of works.

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