2018:039 - Castle Upton walled garden, Templepatrick, Hillsborough, Antrim

The site was located within the walled garden of Castle Upton, Templepatrick, and consisted of a roughly triangular area, which measured 50m long by 40m wide, in the eastern corner of the walled garden, and a service trench which ran to the entrance of the garden. Several periods of use of the site were identified. 

Pre-18th century

A series of shallow agricultural ditches were uncovered which appeared to predate the walls of the garden, these were all investigated but no artefacts were uncovered in order to provide a firm date for them.

19th – 20th century

Buildings and Well: In the north-west corner of the area, next to the outer wall of the garden, were the partial remains of a series of buildings. Three phases of building were identified; Phase 1 appears to align with the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey map of c.1860, Phase 2 buildings and well appear to align with the 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map of c.1900 and Phase 3 appears to relate to 20th Century.

Defence Heritage – World War I

A large rectangular cut, which is thought to be a building foundation, was present within the centre of the site. This building did not appear on any of the maps, but was of a size similar to a World War I Armstrong hut, used for the billeting of troops.

Defence Heritage – Post World War I

Finally, overlying the agricultural ditches, in the eastern side of the area, were a series of concrete pads and flint and stone paths which appear to be associated with defence heritage. These are thought to relate to the garrisoning of one of the Ulster regiments in the walled garden sometime between 1918 – 1920.

Northern Archaeological Consultancy, 638 Springfield Road, Belfast