County: Wexford Site name: Carrick, Newtown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WX037-028002- Licence number: 17E0318
Author: Denis Shine
Site type: Ringwork, castle and associated borough
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 701322m, N 623188m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.350910, -6.512716
From January 2018 to February 2022 the Irish Archaeology Field School (IAFS) and Irish National Heritage Park (INHP) undertook a major new archaeological research project – Digging the Lost Town of Carrig – in the townland of Newtown, Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford. This project assessed one of the most historically significant sites in Ireland, the ‘Ferrycarrig Ringwork’ (WX037-028002-), which was founded in the winter of 1169 by Robert FitzStephen. The site is of national importance as it represents the very first wave of Anglo-Norman colonisation of the country, being constructed the year before the main Anglo-Norman landing party at Baginbun. A stone castle and medieval borough developed close to (or on) the site of the ringwork in the 13th century. Today the site is located at the western limit of the INHP – a stunning backdrop consisting of a 14-ha outdoor museum that depicts 9000 years of re-created Irish history within natural forestry and wet woodlands.
The archaeology project comprised:
a) a major research dig, which aimed to clarify the form, function and date of the ringwork, as well as that of the castle and settlement that subsequently developed at the site;
b) educational and heritage engagement programmes to draw the archaeological site into the park in a creative and sustainable manner, including through experimental archaeology activities;
c) an ancillary, but associated research project, assessing the adjacent borough of Carrick (licence 22E0207), which is now separated from the castle site by the modern N11 road.
During the ringwork excavation we cleared the site of all overgrowth and re-exposed and resolved three cuttings originally commenced in the 1980's by Claire Cotter. We have also resolved a further six smaller archaeological cuttings, including one outside the ringwork which was excavated in advance of creating an experimental archaeology 'compound' (that remains in use to teach experimental archaeology within the park).
These cuttings have collectively revealed evidence of both 12th-century wooden structures and defensive features, as well as 13th-century masonry associated with a medieval hall and chapel, first recorded on site in 1324. Evidence of the 1231 castle has also been recorded. A range of medieval pottery including Leinster Cooking ware, Ham Green, Wexford-type cooking ware, Wexford-type coarse ware, Saintonge, Saintonge sgraffito, Bristol Redcliffe etc. has also been recovered, as have a wide range of ferrous items, including some arrowheads. Specialist analyses of the excavated collections are nearing conclusion, with a view to final reporting commencing soon. Five preliminary reports on the excavation have been prepared at the conclusion of each excavation season.
As analyses of some collections is still ongoing final publication remains pending. However, a major publication on the site was issued in 2019, see Shine, D., Potterton, M., Mandal, S. and McLoughlin, C. (eds). 2019. Carrick, County Wexford: Ireland’s first Anglo-Norman Stronghold. Four Courts Press, Dublin.
Alternatively please consult www.iafs.ie to follow the project through the specialist analyses and reporting stage.
Johns Hall, Birr, Co. Offaly
