2023:806 - Arklow Waste Water Treatment Plant - WEST, Yardland, Arklow and Ferrybank, Arklow, Wicklow

Archaeological monitoring took place during works on the western part of the Arklow Waste Water Treatment Plant project, including excavation of trial trenches, excavation of a large pipe trench and construction of a Storm Water Overflow tank. No intact archaeological material was encountered and it was evident that the southern bank of the Avoca River, along with the area in which the pipe was laid, has been reclaimed. A number of post-medieval artefacts and a sherd of medieval pottery were recovered and timbers were retrieved from the river edge.

A number of wooden post or stake points were recovered from the river gravels at a depth of 3.2m below modern ground surface level, further timbers were recovered including round-wood stakes and a plank. The date and function of the wood is yet to be established. The recorded stratigraphy above the river gravels in this area comprised a 19^th- & 20^th-century reclamation layer, with abundant post-medieval culture including demolition material, metal and coal. A deposit of shoe leather and cordage was recovered in the pipe trench just west of the bridge. The shoes and leather were very well preserved. Arklow historian Jim Rees has researched the possibility of a shoe-associated business close to the concentration of shoes and has recorded that there was a Boot and Shoe Warehouse, on Main Street, 150 yards east of Bolands (also Saddlery & Harness Manufactory) in 1865 belonging to John Savill. The uppermost stratigraphy below the tarmac was a layer of demolition rubble composed of 19^th/20^th-century material: mortar, sand, grit, brick, stone, slate etc. A brass flat-headed screw bearing the British War Department symbol was recovered from this deposit. A single unstratified sherd of 12^th- to 14^th-century medieval pottery (Ham Green ware ) was recovered during the course of works.

Further discussion of the individual finds will be possible once artefacts and wood from monitoring the works have been analysed and additional dating has been obtained. It is hoped that this analysis will provide additional insights into the development of Arklow.