2024:360 - Westgate Car Park, Wexford, Wexford

Archaeological test excavation and assessment of remains of Wexford town wall occurred between  19 August and 2 September 2024. Five test trenches were excavated and assessed in which medieval levels were achieved and recorded. These comprised wall foundation elements to the north-east and south-west sides of the site. A medieval embankment paralleled Slaney Street. These framed medieval intertidal silts and the whole infers a previously unrecorded harbour of medieval date.

The test excavation has concluded and its findings are currently being considered for the development of the site in which appropriate mitigations are being undertaken to retain the medieval and post-medieval walls, and options of preservation in situ and/or preservation by record of the underlying archaeological strata should be taken into account. This involves potential reconfiguration of the proposed development to avoid as much impacts as possible into the archaeological strata.

A conservation management plan is being arranged for the surviving sections of the medieval town wall and it is anticipated that archaeological mitigation – monitoring and excavation will happen in 2025.