2022:396 - 3-4 Barrack Street, St Micheal's of Feagh, Wexford, Wexford

The client, Corcannon Properties Ltd, received planning permission to undertake demolition of an existing derelict house at No. 4 Barrack Street, Wexford and construction of 2 No. new townhouses with connections to existing public mains sewer/water services and all associated site works at No. 3 and No. 4 Barrack Street, Co. Wexford. Condition No. 5 of Planning Schedule 20170301 stipulates requirement for archaeological monitoring of all ground works associated with the development.
Archaeological monitoring of all ground works was conducted on 21st July 2022. It involved monitoring of demolition debris removal at east end of the site and rubbish and topsoil removal on the remainder. The excavation was undertaken by mechanical excavator with grading bucket. 0.6 to 0.65m of 20th century building material was removed from the eastern 6m of the site and for the sites full 9m north to south width. Further 20th century debris and sand was revealed. A further 14m (east to west) of ground excavation occurred immediately to west of the above clearance and for the site full width. This entailed excavation of deposited soils and debris over garden soils and up to a depth of circa 0.5m for the most part. The height of removed soil increased to east, to circa 1.3m, and of the same composition. It was found that the upper soil horizon consisted of sand clay with a significant quantity of 20th century debris, such as medium to large shale stone, red bricks, iron, timber, glass, slate, drink cans, plastics. The lower horizon consisted of dark brown to black sandy garden soil with 19th century material of pottery sherds, glass, timber, butchered animal bones. Up to 0.3m of garden soil was removed, with continuing 19th century materials exposed at base of excavation on lighter sandy soil and red brick.
No archaeological activity, materials, features or deposits were encountered. The extensively built up nature of the site revealed 20th century levels overlying that of 19th century. Raft foundations shall be used in the construction of the townhouses and therefore there shall be no further ground works beyond what has occurred.

Dunburbeg, Clonmel Road, Cashel, Co. Tipperary