2023:209 - Tullow WWTP, Tullowbeg, Tullow, Carlow

Test trenching was carried out on the site of a proposed new wastewater pumping station and associated pipeline in a greenfield site adjacent to the River Slaney and the town of Tullow, Co. Carlow. Nineteen test trenches were opened across the site, eleven of which were found to contain features of archaeological potential. Finds from the topsoil on the site included medieval and post-medieval pottery, George II and George III coins, copper alloy buttons and a 17th-century lead carbine or pistol ball. The testing revealed significant archaeological features, deposits and artefacts, described broadly from west to north-east.

Trenches 1-6 at the west of the site were found to be archaeologically sterile.

Trench 7 revealed that circular and trefoil-shaped cropmarks seen in aerial photography, including Recorded Monument CW008-102, are defined by sub-surface ditches. These monuments are illustrated on late 19th-century Ordnance Survey maps and appear to be landscape design features. Artefactual evidence indicates a plausible origin in the 17^th century, suggesting that they are earlier in date than had previously been assumed.

Trench 8 was found to be archaeologically sterile.

Trenches 9-14 contained archaeological features such as ditches, gullies and pits with artefactual evidence from the medieval period onwards. Of particular significance is the localised assemblage of eight musket balls from a ditch in Trench 9 suggesting 18th-century warfare. These trenches include a number of large ditches, up to 2.6m wide and over 0.88m deep, that, although currently undated, would not be out of place as part of a medieval field system. The presence of a large circular enclosure, seen as a crop mark to the south of the scheme, might suggest that these ditches are related to a possible ringfort.

Trenches 15-17 at the northern end of the proposed development site, in the location of the proposed pumping station, revealed a particular concentration of archaeological features. Although only limited dating evidence was retrieved during testing, two ring gullies were identified in this area – perhaps indicative of prehistoric settlement or funerary activity. Other features in this area may be related to medieval activity associated with the nearby 14th-century Augustinian friary, with a small number of sherds of medieval pottery recovered. Of particular note is a substantial north-west to south-east aligned boundary consisting of a large ditch with an earthen bank on its eastern side, with another ditch along the east of the bank. Overall this boundary feature was 7.2m wide and could be part of an enclosing element related to the medieval friary.

Trench 19 at the north-west was archaeologically sterile, this area appeared to have been disturbed.

TVAS (Ireland) Ltd Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare