Ulster-Scots Archaeological Project

Excavations at Servants Hill, Co. Down, Derrywoone, Co. Tyrone and Monea,

Co. Fermanagh Ulster Scots Archaeological Project ExcavationsUlsterUlster ScotsScots at Servants ArchaeologicalArchaeological Hill, Co. Down, Derrywoone, ProjectProject Co. Excavations at Servants Hill, Co. Down, Derrywoone, Co. ExcavationsTyrone at Servants and Monea, Hill, Co.Co. Down,Fermanagh. Derrywoone, Co. Tyrone and Monea, Co. Fermanagh. Tyrone and Monea, Co. Fermanagh.

Ulster Scots Archaeological Project Excavations at Servants Hill, Co. Down, Derrywoone, Co. Tyrone and Monea, Co. Fermanagh.

Acknowledgements Text by Fintan Walsh and Christina O’Regan with contributions by Neil Macnab, Nick Brannon, Dr. Heather James and Maeve Tobin. Photographs by members of IAC, Nick Brannon and Dr. Heather James (Northlight Heritage). Graphics by Killian Long and Joanna Leigh. Layout and design by Fintan Walsh, Maeve Tobin and Christina O’Regan.

With thanks to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of the Environment: Historic Environment Division.

The excavation at Servants Hill took place with the kind permission of the Bell family. The excavation at Derrywoone Castle took place with kind permission of Lord and Lady Abercorn. The excavation at Monea Castle took place with kind permission of the Cadden family.

The authors would also like to thank the school children, teachers and volunteers who visited the excavations and everyone who attended the Open Days.

Produced by Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd on behalf of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Northern Ireland.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, Cathedral House, 23–31 Waring Street, Belfast, BT1 2DX. www.iac.ie Location of the three excavation sites mentioned below. AECOM, 2 City Walk, Leeds, LS11 9AR

Northlight Heritage, Studio 406, South Block, 64 Osborne St., Glasgow, G1 5QH

© Irish Archaeology Consultancy Ltd 2015

Front cover image: Monea Castle Inside cover: Location map of the three excavations Back cover image: Children excavating during open day at Servants Hill

Ordnance Survey mapping based upon Land and Property Services data with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, © Crown copyright and database rights MOU 204.

School tour of Derrywoone Castle.

Ulster Scots The aims of the Plantation included the establishment of nucleated settlements, Archaeological Project agricultural and land management reform, and religious reformation. Servants Hill, Bangor The Ulster Scots Archaeological Project is a three year project formulated by the The Servants Hill site is located in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure suburbs of Bangor, County Down, on a which aims to raise awareness of Ulster small farm surrounded by modern housing Scots history, heritage and culture and and shopping centres. This was effectively provide a clearer understanding of the an ‘island’ of green space surviving impact that the Plantation had on the relatively untouched by development for landscape, peoples and architecture of centuries. Ulster. It will also help us to understand the It is at this location that pictorial maps, historical legacies of this event for the 21st- century communities in Northern Ireland. produced by cartographer Thomas Raven Site location. in 1625, illustrate clearly the location of four The ‘Ulster Plantation’ or ‘civilian houses. These are shown as being associated with garden plots and bound to settlement’ of the early 17th century was Raven’s 1622 map of Movanagher, Co. undertaken against the backdrop of Londonderry, showing a bawn the east by a watercourse which still flows considerable political unrest in Europe. and different house types – timber-framed and clay here today. The place-name suggests that Queen Elizabeth I (through military (© Lambeth Palace Library). the houses were occupied by retainers of strategy) and King James I (through civilian the Hamilton Estate here at Bangor. settlement) sought to negate Ireland, and This project culminates in the forthcoming particularly Ulster, as a strategic and production of a landmark publication – a These houses are illustrated as being tactical pawn in the political chess game gazetteer of all known archaeological sites essentially ‘Irish’ in architectural between Catholic Europe (notably Spain) associated with this pivotal period in Irish character—single-storey, possibly of oval and Britain. history. or sub-rectangular plan, with thatched roofs—but also bearing central chimneys. King James granted lands (estates) to Archaeological excavation is a key element Similar houses had been commonly Scottish settlers in Counties Antrim and of the Ulster Scots project. Three illustrated by Raven elsewhere in his excavations were carried out at key Hamilton estate mappings and in Raven’s Down (the Hamiltons and Montgomerys in northern County Down), and to English, Plantation sites in Northern Ireland. These earlier surveys of the County Londonderry Detail of Raven’s map of Servants Hill showing Scottish and native Irish settlers in excavations, in tandem with community plantations. houses (© North Down Museum). Counties Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone. involvement, Open Days, volunteer In Londonderry, a county that was newly programs and school visits, sought to raise These houses are extremely rare in the created by King James from parts of awareness and interest in this important excavated archaeological record, and their Counties Coleraine, Tyrone and Donegal, period of our shared history. identification, in an area of un-touched twelve London guilds, working under a farmland, provided a fantastic opportunity single organisation known as The The first excavation was undertaken in the to investigate them further by Honourable the Irish Society, were granted autumn of 2012 at Servants Hill, Bangor— archaeological investigation. lands and expected to build towns and with unexpected results! villages, many of which, such as Ballykelly, But first we had to be sure that we would Eglinton and Desertmartin, have continued be digging in the right place. So we to the present day. undertook a geophysical survey of the site.

Strict building obligations accompanied the granting of lands – a castle or fortified Early OS map of the Servants Hill area showing site location. house had to be constructed and surrounded by a strong bawn or court. Houses for tenants had to be built, as well as a church. Every grantee (also known as an undertaker) had two years to ‘plant’ or introduce tenants onto his estate and remain in residence for at least five years. Little Diggers at Servants Hill!

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The Hamiltons The Site Survey James Hamilton (1559–1644) was the son To focus our archaeological excavations, of a minister, the Rev. Hans Hamilton James had his main residence at Bangor, we first undertook a geophysical survey of (1536–1608) of Dunlop, Ayrshire, in the area now occupied by Bangor Castle, an area in which we believed the remains Scotland. Hans was educated at St albeit his tenants would have lived in the of one of these houses would be found. We Andrews University and later became a hinterlands of Bangor such as at Servants used field boundaries and the stream teacher in Glasgow. It was around 1587 Hill. Although we did not find the physical marked on Raven’s map matched to the that he left Scotland by ship and by remains of these houses during the modern landscape to pinpoint the footprint accident arrived in Dublin, having been excavation the mapping evidence presents of one of these houses. forced to seek shelter from a storm. Whilst a strong case for their presence at this site. in Dublin he established a school–“The Geophysics is a non-invasive method of Free School”—in Ship Street. Later James Hamilton died, aged about eighty-four, on detecting archaeology beneath the ground would become a Fellow of Trinity College 24 January 1644 and was buried in the surface without having to remove any grass Dublin which had been established by church at Bangor. or sod. There are two main types of Queen Elizabeth I in 1591. geophysical survey – resistivity and magnetometry. Resistivity passes James was also an agent for King James electrical current through the ground at VI of Scotland, and is said to have provided regular intervals. Archaeological features the king with information regarding produce different resistivity readings. Elizabeth’s activities in Ireland. He would Magnetometry measures tiny changes in later give up his academic position at the earth’s magnetic field which are Trinity to take up appointments at the royal The geophysical survey results affected by the presence of underground and cutting locations. features and the material within them, such court where he was appointed Scottish agent to the English court of Elizabeth I and as burnt wood or stones from was also later involved in the negotiations hearths/fireplaces. for James VI’s succession to the English throne as King James I. The geophysical survey, carried out by Joanna Leigh, identified several areas with Later he would use his increasing influence strong archaeological potential. The red with the new King James I to gain lands in area shown in the north of the site was Ulster. These lands were granted to him interpreted as the possible remains—the following a threefold division of land foundations or building rubble—of one of between Hamilton, Hugh Montgomery—a the houses. Indeed this ‘anomaly’ did Scottish aristocrat—and Gaelic chieftain Portrait of James Hamilton (© National Trust). match the rectangular shape and alignment Conn O’Neill who forfeited lands for a royal of the houses on the early mapping, and it pardon. was in the right place! Other linear features (the dashed lines) were thought to After having been granted lands in north represent field ditches or boundaries while County Down (the lordship of Upper the blue circular responses were Clandeboye and the ‘Great Ards’)—and a highlighted as potential rubbish pits. number of years before the ‘state- Geophysical survey in progress. sponsored’ plantations—James recruited This geophysical plan then became the key his extended family, and tenants from the and backdrop onto which we focused our Scottish lowlands to farm and work on his archaeological excavation trenches or newly-acquired lands. On the success of ‘cuttings’. These allowed us to physically these early plantations he was knighted by investigate the features depicted in the the King in 1609 and only a short time later survey. The trenches were set out by our a new town was established at Bangor surveyor and each cutting was carefully excavated by hand. while his brother (John) founded the town Hamilton’s house and garden at Bangor (© North of Hamiltonstown in County Armagh. Down Museum). This, and the other excavations, were

directed by Fintan Walsh of IAC, under Excavation in progress at Servants Hill. statutory license issued by the Department of the Environment.

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Unexpected Results building material. Two sherds of 17th- century pottery were retrieved from one of these pits. A ditch at the eastern end of this From the results of the geophysical survey, cutting was undated but appears to we thought that we had located the site of Numerous burnt mounds associated with correspond with a curving linear anomaly one of the houses depicted on the Raven wooden troughs and the remains of a hut identified during the geophysical survey. map. However, the excavations (cutting 1) or shelter were identified here too. proved otherwise. The anomaly proved to A fine stone-built wall along the western be a natural gravel deposit. A small ditch, boundary of the site is intriguing. Could this at the western end of the cutting, may be reused stone from our ‘missing’ 17th- represent the line of one of the field century houses? boundaries depicted on Raven’s map and

Plan of cutting 5. be of 17th-century date.

While this is disappointing, Servants Hill There are also three standing stones in the had more to reveal! In cutting 5 we general area. Standing stones are a uncovered evidence for a prehistoric common feature in the landscape and settlement. The site itself, which is on a although it is thought that they were raised plateau with excellent vistas towards Cutting 5 after removal of the topsoil. erected across a wide time span they are the sea, would have been an attractive most often associated with the Bronze Age. setting for many millennia before the 17th- A wide variety of functions have been century. As often found in archaeology, attributed to these stones, such as burial once a good site always a good site! markers and route or territorial markers.

We found the remains of at least two Other finds of interest included a possible Bronze Age buildings. One of these was a ditch in cutting 4 which appeared to Late 17th-century pottery from cutting 3. sub-circular structure, the foundations of represent an earlier version of the ditch and which were identified by post and stake- hedge directly to the west of this cutting. holes with associated pits. A more regular This has been radiocarbon dated to foundation trench defining part of another, AD245–397 (Iron Age) and a bone pin, separate, building was also uncovered. possibly early medieval in date, was

These two buildings were radiocarbon Cutting 5 during excavation. recovered from the topsoil. While there is dated to 1874–1627BC and 1412–1135BC little known activity of this period within the (the Early/Middle and Middle/Late Bronze immediate surroundings, it is likely that this Age). Twenty-two flint artefacts were found fertile area, close to a natural harbour, here, representative of domestic activities would have continued to attract settlement such as food and hide processing carried in the Iron Age. The high status hillfort at out around the buildings. Scrabo Hill is located only 8.4km to the SSW. Sieving for finds. Further to the north, in cutting 2, another possible building was identified, and During the 6th century a monastery was radiocarbon dated to 1397–1133BC founded at Bangor by St. Comgall and a (Middle to Late Bronze Age). settlement probably developed around it. A number of raths and enclosures are In the surrounding landscape there are recorded testifying to settlement in the several Bronze Age sites within a 5km early medieval period. Although none of the radius. A cluster of burnt mounds (ancient archaeological remains excavated at cooking sites) were identified in Servants Hill are early medieval in date, Corporation townland (1km to the north) one fragment of souterrain ware pottery and Ballycroghan townland (2.1km to the (dating to the 7th–9th centuries) was east). The well-known Ballycroghan sites retrieved from cutting 5. Cutting 5 after excavation showing pits and were excavated in 1954 following the postholes (image is facing east). Stone wall at western site boundary. discovery of three bronze swords in the In cutting 3, six pits were uncovered which same townland. may have been extraction pits for sand, perhaps for use as a bonding agent for

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Post-Excavation Research and Analysis Community Involvement

Once the excavation was completed the While we did not find the houses pictured records from site, including drawings and in Thomas Raven’s map, this did not affect notes, were digitised. A catalogue was the success of the community involvement compiled containing all of the artefacts and at Servants Hill. ecofacts found at Servants Hill, all of which were sent to experts for analysis. The An Open Day was organised and expert reports helped interpret the volunteers, local schools, archaeological excavated features and provide additional The site archive. societies, Young Archaeologists Club detail about the exciting archaeological (YAC) groups, visitors to the North Down remains that were uncovered. Museum, friends and neighbours were invited to come along to experience the Fragments of charcoal and seeds were excavation for themselves. Site tours were retrieved from soil samples taken from organised with all the latest site features on site. These samples were Nick Brannon discussing finds with school group. interpretations being discussed with a examined by Ellen O’ Carroll and Nikolah display of the finds. Gilligan. Oak and hazel charcoal were the most commonly identified from the Bronze Approximately 250 children, from two YAC Age features suggesting these two species Clubs and four schools had a chance to join were used in the construction of the in the excavation; which they found to be houses. It is probable that the charred seed very educational and entertaining. The remains represent small-scale agriculture; Flint blade from cutting 5. visiting groups were divided into teams and the processing of crops which had been each was given a specific task including stored in a semi-processed state. digging, finds identification and washing, sieving and site recording. Fifty-four stone artefacts were analysed by lithics expert Farina Sternke to determine Claíomh (a military 'living history' group their date and function. The stone tools based in Ireland which re-creates 'live' included three single-platform blades, a images of Ireland's past) was present at the bipolar blade, 27 bipolar flakes, a convex Open Day. They were very popular with the Group of children digging at the Open Day. end scraper, a double concave scraper and Flint scraper from cutting 5. school children and adults alike, with four informal scrapers. The stone artefacts replica armour, swords and clothing from are from knapping debris (waste from the 17th century. making stone tools) and general household waste associated with domestic activities Experimental archaeology was also such as plant/wood processing, hide undertaken with Bruce Crawford working and probably also food constructing a willow and turf shelter. He preparation. normally makes corracles but was persuaded to turn the technique upside A few fragments of prehistoric pottery were down and try to build a small creat or creel found in cutting 5. These fragments were Bronze Age pottery sherd from cutting 5. house. He pushed upright willows into the analysed by pottery experts Eoin Grogan ground and wove other willows round them and Helen Roche who identified three to form a 'basket'. We experimented with middle Bronze Age domestic vessels and the turves from the excavation, using them one early medieval souterrain ware pot. to form the walls.

A small polished bone pin was recovered While there wasn’t enough time to Bruce Crawford building a creat at the open day. from topsoil in cutting 4. It was made from complete the house on the day it really the upper portion of a possible pig fibula. gave everyone an idea of how quickly a Bone pins were used throughout antiquity shelter like this could be built and what the but are mostly associated with the early Bone pin from cutting 4. best shape of turves would be. medieval period.

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Sharing the Experience Derrywoone Castle

While on site we were visited by the crew of TV series 'Ulster Unearthed'. In February 2013 an episode focusing on our excavations at Servants Hill was aired on

Ulster Television. This provided an excellent opportunity to reach a wide and varying audience. It was a very interesting show as it highlighted all elements of the project—historical background research, excavation and community involvement. While the excavation had not uncovered any definite Plantation features that could be correlated with the 17th-century map evidence, the episode of Ulster Unearthed followed the unexpected findings of the Bronze Age house. The program concluded with a reconstruction of what the Filming for ‘Ulster Unearthed’. house on Servants Hill may have looked like in isolation or as part of a community.

A weekly online diary or blog was also created as part of the project to share the day to day events and findings of the excavation. The blog made it possible to The second excavation was undertaken in include the general public in an up to date the early summer of 2013 in the beautiful discussion of the site. It also provided a surroundings of Derrywoone Castle, forum for comments and active Baronscourt, County Tyrone. participation in the interpretation of the site. A key feature of the blog was the photographs showing all elements of the project. These images captured the imagination and attention of younger readers and made the experience real.

Extract from the Ulster Scots Excavation Blog.

The blog was a fantastic way of keeping the public engaged in the project until our next excavation at Derrywoone Castle! Site director Fintan Walsh teaching the fundamentals of surveying to students from Gillygooley Primary School.

Reconstruction of Bronze Age house (© The fine corbelled-out stair at the recess angle of Televisionary/Streetmonkey). the castle - a classic Scottish architectural feature of the Ulster Plantation.

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The History of Baronscourt Derrywoone Castle: its

before the Plantation Location and History

Derrywoone Castle is positioned within a In the late 16th century, the Earl of Tyrone, Derrywoone Castle is located at the heart rich archaeological and historic landscape. Hugh O’Neill, who main residence was in of what is now Baronscourt Estate on a The lake which it overlooks contains one of Dungannon, was inaugurated ‘The O’Neill’ raised plateau overlooking Lough the most important archaeological sites in at Tullahogue. Catherine. The castle itself is overlooked County Tyrone—Island McHugh. This site, by a mountain called Bessy Bell which rises and other places of interest around the What is known as ‘The Nine Years War’ to the east and the immediate landscape is lough, have been subject to numerous followed, with skirmishes and battles occupied by mixed open farmland and excavations down through the years between English forces and the Irish. In woods. It is certainly a picture-perfect revealing human occupation dating as far 1601, the Battle of Kinsale proved a setting! back as the Mesolithic era over 6000 years significant blow to the Gaelic cause. O’Neill Plan of Derrywoone Castle drawn in 1951. ago. One of these excavations was surrendered in 1603 and fled to Europe in It was in 1610 that James Hamilton—the This was not just a building of strength, conducted by Lady Alexandra Hamilton in 1607 – the ‘Flight of the Earls’. The path first Earl of Abercorn—was granted lands in power and defence—a large flanker tower the 1930s. was cleared for the Plantation of Ulster. this part of Tyrone and built a large timber with pistol loops (small holes in the walls) house at Strabane. He was handed the task of ‘chief undertaker’ to encourage was built at the north-east corner of the others to commit themselves to the castle—it was also a private dwelling for enterprise. domestic comfort and it was certainly built to impress!

Neolithic (c. 4000BC) monument at Ballyrenan townland just south-east of Derrywoone Castle.

The island was occupied in the Neolithic period, the Bronze Age (a sword of this Site Location. period was recovered from the lake) and The castle from the north-east showing the flanker the Iron Age but there was also a significant tower. phase of crannóg construction, possibly in The Earls brother—Sir George Hamilton of the early medieval period around the 7th Greenlaw—acquired the proportion of The castle, or fortified house, is L-shaped century AD. Some archaeologists suggest Derrywoone in c. 1612 as well as lands at in plan with a west and south wing. The that this crannóg and its neighbouring Cloghogenall (north of Strabane) where he house extends to three and a half storeys Hugh O’Neill (Wikipedia creative commons). enclosures (forts) had royal status at this had a timber house and bawn with many in height with the most important room, the time. Scottish and Irish tenant families. great chamber, located on the first floor. It is likely that the castle on Island McHugh The timber floors would have been played a part in the conflicts of this time and Later in the medieval period a castle—a Sir George built the castle at Derrywoone. supported on wooden joists, the sockets for it is no coincidence that the plantation tower house—was built on Island McHugh. Work here was underway by 1622, when a which are still evident today. The windows castle of Derrywoone was sited close by, Occupied in the 16th century this castle survey described the castle as “a fair stone around the house are particularly large and overlooking the island crannóg. may have been an O’Neill stronghold house, 4 stories high, which is almost it is though that they may have been half belonging to members of the most powerful finished, and a bawn (courtyard) of stone glass, half shutter, with iron grills for added ruling tribe in Ulster at this time. Artefacts and lyme (lime), 90 foot long, 70 foot broad protection. including fine imported pottery and glass and 14 foot high”. It is also likely— were found here, suggesting that this was according to the survey—that Hamilton a place of importance with trading contacts lived here when construction finished. to the wider world.

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The Excavation The aim here was threefold: to find the bawn wall of the castle—which no longer survives; to investigate the approach to the A number of cuttings were opened up door; and to get a clearer picture of the focusing on the geophysical anomalies in nature of the castle interior. the green field area. Unfortunately the

results here were poor. All but one of the

cuttings revealed disturbed ground and the

backfilled remains of an old stream (the

Lodge Burn, which is marked on a 19th-

century map). Cutting 1 however revealed

a fine stone path running north–south

across the field.

The cuttings to the west of the castle.

These cuttings produced a wealth of

features and surfaces associated with the The geophysical survey results and cutting locations. castle.

We were able to trace the extent of the

bawn wall from the western edge of the The Site Survey The geophysical survey, carried out by Path in cutting 1. castle (which is partly in ruin) westwards Joanna Leigh, identified several areas with and then southwards defining an area One of the aims of the project was to seek strong archaeological potential—although This path corresponds well with one of the similar to that recorded in the 1622 survey evidence of the dwellings of Hamilton’s there were no clear indicators of any geophysical anomalies and also a similarly (90ft by 79ft). tenants. To focus our archaeological domestic settlement. We were unable to oriented path depicted on the 19th-century excavations at this site, we first undertook survey close to the castle as this area was map. a geophysical survey of a green field area occupied by trees. Despite this a number of to the east and south of the castle, as we positive ‘anomalies’ were identified believed these areas to be the most likely including one large linear feature running landscape for any associated settlement. north–south across this green area. Other ‘positive’ anomalies were thought to represent boundary ditches or pits— possible rubbish pits.

This geophysical plan then became the backdrop onto which we focused our archaeological excavations. The cuttings The foundation for the bawn wall. were plotted out by our surveyor and carefully excavated. The remains of the wall foundation (1.5m 19th-century map of the area. wide) was defined by an inner and outer

line of undressed, rough stone blocks with Numerous brick fragments, metal objects an infill of smaller stones. The south- We also excavated cuttings in and around and rubble were recovered from the soils in Area of geophysical survey. western and southern extent of the the castle and it is these which produced the other cuttings. projected line of the wall could not be the best results. definitively identified however we did find The cuttings around the castle were much two large hollows with stone fills which more fruitful and produced very interesting could represent the foundations, or robber results. trenches, of the walls in cuttings 7 and 13.

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In addition to this and throughout the excavation of these cuttings we found numerous pottery sherds/fragments, some clay pipe, roofing slate, animal bone and some oyster shell. Interestingly, an early 17th-century clay pipe bowl was recovered from the foundation in cutting 13.

Outline of Derrywoone Caste and location of The pit with lime mortar. cuttings around the caste.

On the outer edge of the wall a large pit was unearthed which contained deposits of lime mortar at its base along with animal bone. The cobbles in cutting 14. We could perhaps imagine that this was a Excavation at the entrance area of the mortar mixing pit, in use during the The possible foundation in cutting 13. construction of the bawn wall, and that the castle found that the threshold of the front animal bones found here were rubbish from door was cobbled just like the bawn We discovered that the interior of the bawn the workman/mason’s lunch! courtyard. was cobbled, as indicated by the discovery of pitched (upright) cobbles in two of the Other pits were exposed under the cobbles cuttings (cutting 8 and 14) and at the (in a narrow excavation trench) which may entrance to the castle (cutting 11). It seems also relate to the construction phase of the Digging inside the castle. that the remainder of the bawn interior’s castle. These pits were clearly sealed by a surface was comprised simply of hardened distinct deposit of charcoal-rich clays which Inside the doorway a dump of brick or beaten clay. effectively formed the bedding material for fragments and slate was found. the cobbles. The remainder of cutting 11 was excavated One of the more interesting finds from the to subsoil without encountering any excavation was a broken quern stone archaeological features. Investigations found in cutting 6. This item (used for within the castle did, however, prove that grinding cereals) had been well used, there was no cellar, and that the ground broken, and then discarded. Dr. Alastair floor was not cobbled. Ruffell, a geologist in Queens University Belfast, has concluded that this artefact It is likely that the floor was constructed of was made from locally sourced granite. timber joists supporting wooden floor boards.

The ‘pitched’ cobbles in cutting 8. Cobbles at door to castle.

We also found some tantalising evidence relating to the construction of the bawn wall.

Site supervisor Timo Wagner with the quern stone.

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The Castle Survey (including the garret) had a fire place in the castle. The upper floors may have been southern gable, all of which had chimneys domestic quarters, perhaps bedrooms. During our excavation we also conducted a leading to a fine chimney stack of dressed detailed ground-floor plan of the castle, stone. It is likely that the ground floor of the castle accurately tied into the Ordnance Survey had internal divisions although no national grid using high tech survey indication of any survived. The first floor equipment. Topographical spot heights (the great chamber/hall) would have been were also recorded inside and outside the reached by a staircase, traces of which castle. We also undertook a photographic survive in the inner wall at the north- survey with some detailed notes and eastern side of the ground floor area as sketches of key elevations. stone steps incorporated into the wall. Access to the upper floors—the private apartments—would have shifted to a spiral Perforated roof slate lodged between the castle The castle is ‘L’-shaped in plan with a masonry. flanker tower at its north-eastern corner. It staircase in the turret at the recess angle, a was built of rough stone blocks bound with feature mirrored at other castles of the The roof of the castle was probably slated lime mortar. The exterior stone work still period such as Castle Balfour, Co. – as evidenced by perforated slate lodged has render attached which may have been The chimney stack on the southern gable. Fermanagh, Mountcastle and Aughentaine between stones in the castle wall. A lime-washed. both Co. Tyrone. blocked window at the north-west corner of The western gable, now mostly in ruin, the castle, where the kitchen was located, contained the kitchen, as indicated by the may have been a point from which food large fireplace at ground floor level which waste was thrown, as indicated by a soil lead to a (now) ruined chimney stack. survey that gave high readings of phosphates at this location (indicative of decayed organic matter).

Detail of interior of castle (south gable), showing The spiral staircase, obscured by vegetation. fireplaces and windows.

The castle is four stories tall (counting the garret) and all but the top floor were The western end of the castle – kitchen. accompanied by large windows with limestone window ledges and lintels. The flanker tower at the north-eastern end of the castle, in contrast to the domestic Blocked window. The windows across the building are quite The wooden floors would have been nature of the main building, was defensive. large and it has been suggested that they supported by timber beams (slots which It had pistol loops at ground level which were half glass, half shutter, a style seen in are visible at each level). Each floor covered the north and east walls of the elite Scottish residences of the period.

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and site recording. Yet again the digging was most popular.

Post-Excavation Research Community Involvement

and Analysis The excavation was of course open to the

public, the local community and schools. As at Servants Hill, once the Derrywoone An Open Day was organised and excavation had been completed, all of the volunteers, local schools, archaeological drawings and paper records compiled societies, friends and neighbours were during the excavation were digitised and invited to come along to experience the used to write the final report. All of the excavation for themselves. Site tours were artefacts were sent to a specialist, organised with all the latest site Jonathan Barkley, who provided the team interpretations being discussed with a with a comprehensive report. display of the finds.

Digging in one of the trenches.

Two members of Claíomh were also present at the Open Day. Their display gave the visitors a real insight into what The quernstone. tools and weapons the Hamiltons may One of the school tours. have used during their occupation of the

castle. Approximately 120 children, from five Amongst the 18th and 19th-century pottery schools, visited the site during the dig and and glass fragments was an early 17th- joined in the excavation. Feedback from century clay pipe bowl. This Plantation- the schools shows that they found the trip period artefact was recovered from a long to be very educational and great fun! pit, perhaps a foundation trench for the

bawn wall.

Claíomh and their display at the Open Day.

Castle tour.

The children were given a tour of the castle Early 17th-century clay pipe bowl. with plenty of time for questions and then

they were divided into teams with each

given a specific task including digging,

finds identification and washing, sieving

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The final excavation was undertaken in the The castle was three storeys in height with summer of 2014 in the tranquil and a thatched roof – later changed to a slate picturesque surroundings of Monea Castle, roof. The ground floor had vaulted ceilings County Fermanagh. and contained the kitchen and stores. The windows at ground level were small, to Monea Castle: its Location prevent unwanted visitors gaining access, but would have created a very stuffy and and History smokey working environment for the kitchen staff! Monea Castle is situated on a rocky ridge, overlooking marsh and low-lying ground. It is likely that the castle was, at one time, almost entirely surrounded by water, with

access restricted to the northern approach. Site location. The castle has extensive views to the south, east and west, making this an ideal

defensive location. Ground and first floor plans of the castle, drawn in 1951.

Outside, the castle is protected by two flankers incorporated into the rectilinear bawn wall – a circular flanker to the north- west and a D-shaped flanker to the north- Corbelling on one of the circular towers along the east. The north-western flanker was re- western flank. This is a classic architectural feature designed as a dovecote at an unknown of the Scottish tradition. date and several nesting boxes are still visible. There are several examples of Scottish architectural features visible around the castle – crow-stepped gables, conical- roofed turrets and rounded stair-turrets.

Upstairs the windows were much larger as Aerial shot of Monea Castle showing the bawn and this was where the reception and circular flankers. (© Archaeology NI). banqueting rooms were sited. These were

accessed from circular stairs, several of

which remain today. One can still see As part of the Plantation, the lands at traces of plasterwork on the internal walls Monea were granted to Sir Malcolm Monea Castle. and it is easy to imagine brightly lit and Discussing the many benefits of keeping Hamilton, who later became the Rector of doves/pigeons! painted rooms, adorned with tapestries, Devenish and Archbishop of Cashel, in The castle is one of the best preserved with roaring fires and a delicious banquet 1615. Building work began on the castle in Dovecotes were built to house doves or from the Plantation period in Ulster and waiting for the Hamiltons and their guests! 1618 and by 1619, the castle was pigeons and were particularly popular in exemplifies various aspects of Scottish The most private and bedroom chambers described by Pynnar as "a strong castle of Scotland until the 18th century, where they masonry and architecture. It stands in the were located on the top floor. lime and monea castle stone being 54 feet were known as ‘doocots’. The birds were south-east corner of the bawn and consists long and 20 feet broad". By 1622, the kept for several purposes: they could be of a rectangular building with two circular surrounding bawn wall had been added. used to carry messages to other castles; towers at its western flank. their flesh and eggs could be consumed

and their feathers could be used to make

pillows and mattresses. Their droppings

could be used as a rich fertiliser.

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The History of Monea within which was a man-made island, or crannóg. Excavations in the late 19th before the Plantation century revealed the island to have been almost entirely composed of timber. A The landscape within which Monea Castle conical iron helmet dating to the 14th or During the 1641 Rebellion, the castle fell was built is one rich in archaeological 15th century was recovered during the into the hands of Captain Rory Maguire, heritage. Evidence of human activity can excavation and sent to Cambridge MP for the county. The castle was not be traced back thousands of years with Museum for analysis – its location today, damaged during this incident and was later Neolithic stone tools and Bronze Age however, remains a mystery! reclaimed by the Hamilton family. weapons and burials occurring in the wider Monea townland.

In 1704, the Manor of Castletown was sold

Reconstruction drawing of Monea Castle. (© Crown to Hugh Montgomery and Robert King, with Copyright. DoE:HED) the King taking possession of the castle. Following a catastrophic fire c. 1750, the castle was abandoned. Eventually the The castle was built during a time of estate came under the ownership of the potential conflict with the native Irish and Brien family, who built Monea Cottage several defensive elements are visible sometime after 1790. around its perimeter. Gunloops and musket holes can be seen around the castle, while the doorway is positioned in such a way as Monea Castle from the south-east. (© Crown Copyright. DOE:HED) to prevent the use of a battering ram.

Soldiers could be positioned at several points around the castle, which ensured It is thought that the most powerful of the early detection of approaching enemies. A Bronze Age cist burial under excavation (IAC. Maguire lords, ‘Hugh the Hospitable’, built Site: Carnmore 5, County Louth). a fortress on the crannóg at Monea. While no trace of this fortress has been Surrounding the castle are several Bronze uncovered, the helmet displays a military Age burnt mounds, or fulachta fiadh. These presence in the area before the Planters’ sites served many purposes, but the most arrival. common interpretation is that they were A musket hole protecting the front door. cooking sites.

Gunloops on ground floor and in the north-west tower.

In 1628, Malcolm Hamilton died and Monea Castle and the surrounding estate were bequeathed to his fourth son, also called The landscape surrounding Monea Castle. (© Malcolm. After failing to produce a male Crown Copyright. DoE:HED) st heir, the castle and lands passed into the Extract from the 1 edition Ordnance Survey map showing Monea Castle in ruins. ownership of the Archbishop’s youngest son, Lewis (Ludovic) and his Swedish wife, Reconstruction of a fulacht fiadh (© Crown Anna Catherina. Copyright. DoE:HED)

In a situation reminiscent of Derrywoone, Monea Castle was built overlooking a lake,

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The Site Survey The anomalies were thought to represent pits, ditches and a possible road or pathway. The Excavation

As at Servants Hill and Derrywoone, our A total of seven cuttings were opened up main objective at Monea was to locate and across the areas to the north, west and investigate the tenants’ houses that would south of the castle. Cuttings 1 and 2 were have existed around the castle. positioned to investigate possible pits.

However, cutting 1 revealed these ‘pits’ to A geophysical survey was undertaken be no more than areas of loose rock around the grounds of the castle, to the surrounded by peat – cutting 2 was not north, south and west, outside the bawn investigated as a result of these findings. wall. We were unable to survey the ground Cutting 3, which was positioned over a to the east as this was on a very steep Area of geophysical survey to the south-west of the possible wall, revealed a single line of slope and close to the perimeter of the site. castle. loosely scattered stones. As this cutting

was located on the edge of the marshy The geophysical survey, again carried out Based on this geophysical plan, we were ground, it is possible that these stones by Joanna Leigh, identified several areas of able to position our excavation trenches or were used as ‘stepping stones’, perhaps to archaeological potential, although there cuttings to carefully examine these gain access to the wetland area. were no clear indicators of domestic anomalies. The cuttings were set out by a settlement. surveyor and each one carefully excavated Cutting 4 targeted a possible wall and pit-

by hand. like feature. Our investigations uncovered

an area of compacted stone overlying a

linear drainage ditch. The most interesting

artefact recovered from this cutting was a

small sherd of Ulster coarseware pottery

dating to the 13th – 17th century. This type

of pottery has been found at several

crannóg sites and it is tempting to suggest

that this piece of pottery had originally

come from the crannóg located close to the

later Monea Castle site. Some of the stones in cutting 5.

Clay pipe fragments, window glass, iron nails, metal slag, pottery and animal bone were recovered during the excavation. One of the pottery fragments turned out to be part of a glazed roof tile. Rather excitingly, a lead musket ball was recovered from the upper levels of the cutting. Perhaps a soldier posted up on the higher levels of the castle dropped it while on duty!

Stone-filled drainage ditch in cutting 4. Cutting 6 was the only cutting located in the

green area to the north of the castle – this

Cutting 5 was located close to the castle is where a formal garden would have been.

wall and produced the most artefacts. A series of clay deposits were found to

Layers of peat overlay a thick layer of stone overlay broken and shattered bedrock. Two

rubble – the ground to the south of the further musket balls were found in the The results of the geophysical survey and cutting locations. castle was quite uneven and it is thought deposits in this cutting.

that this layer of stone may have been used

to level or landscape the areas close to the

castle.

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No archaeological features were Our investigations revealed that there was uncovered in cutting 7 and large slabs of no evidence for an earlier foundation and bedrock, close to the surface, prevented a the topsoil came down onto natural thorough investigation of the castle bedrock. foundations.

At the beginning of our excavation, we were delighted when Gavin Donaghy of Archaeology NI volunteered to document our progress using his high-tech Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV or drone). One of the lead musket balls found in cutting 6. Gavin visited us on a number of occasions, Tony Wilkinson with his axe. taking images of the castle and the trenches, thus providing a bird’s eye view This cutting also produced the most of the site and surrounding landscape. intriguing, and confusing artefact from the entire site – a prehistoric stone axe! It was found tucked neatly into a crack in a large stone. Several prehistoric sites are known in the area immediately surrounding the Bedrock in cutting 7. castle and this is yet further evidence that this picturesque location has been a Cutting 8 was positioned to the exterior of desirable place to live for thousands of the north-eastern flanker in the bawn wall. years. The purpose of this cutting was to investigate whether the flanker was

Shattered bedrock in cutting 6. originally circular in plan like the north- western example.

An unusual feature is located along the eastern wall of the castle – a latrine chute. Gavin Donaghy prepares his drone.

It was not usual for Plantation period castles to have latrines. Indeed, they are more commonly associated with earlier medieval tower houses. An additional cutting was inserted at the base of the Stone axe in cutting 6. chute to investigate whether there was an earlier construction phase to the castle, as suggested by the presence of the latrine. There have been suggestions that people during the medieval and post-medieval periods, and perhaps even earlier, collected older artefacts as relics, or antiques. Stone axes were thought to have been created by lightning and contain protective powers. These magical and protective objects were thought to protect the house, the property and the family from lightning strikes and general misfortune. Perhaps one of Hamilton’s tenants found this axe and kept it hidden away until it was One of the many impressive shots taken by the finally re-discovered in 2014! drone, showing cuttings 3, 4 & 5 (© Archaeology

NI). School children investigate the inner workings of the latrine!

Bedrock in cutting 8.

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Post-Excavation Research Community Involvement and Analysis As with Servants Hill and Derrywoone, the Once again, the work does not stop when excavation was open to the public, the local the trenches have been back-filled. A full community and schools. A total of 254 report detailing the results of the children from 10 local primary and post- excavation was completed and small finds primary schools visited the excavation and specialist, Jonathan Barkley, provided a enjoyed a detailed tour of the site and even complete report on the artefacts that were had a go at excavating themselves! Nick Brannon gives a guided tour of the castle to the Clogher Historical Society. recovered during the excavation.

A few satisfied customers! A hugely successful Open Day saw dozens of people enjoying the sights and sounds of A total of 17 volunteers participated in the 17th-century life. Once again, Claíomh excavation, some of whom loved the were on hand to demonstrate the skills of a experience so much that they even stayed blacksmith, a leather worker and to for more than a day. showcase the types of weapons and everyday items that would have been used when the castle was first occupied.

Learning how to sieve for artefacts.

The three lead musket balls. They also learned how to survey and created detailed drawings of the castle, One of the more interesting artefacts was a both as it looks today and how it might have pipkin leg fragment, dating to the 13th – looked in the past. Some were very 17th centuries. A pipkin was a three-legged imaginative! earthenware cooking pot which may have Ladies from the Cavanaleck Community also had a handle. Like the fragment of Association enjoy a bit of de-sodding! Ulster coarseware pottery recovered from cutting 4, it is tempting to think that this David Swift shows off an impressive weapons piece of pottery may have originated from display. the nearby crannóg, which would have been occupied during these time periods.

A graphic depiction of the catastrophic fire that destroyed Monea Castle. Gentlemen from the Clogher Historical Society make a fine job of stacking turves in Cutting 3!

Claíomh blacksmith with a couple of apprentices! Pipkin leg fragment.

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Sharing the Experience

We were delighted when once again, our excavation was included in a TV series. BBC’s The Gaitherin celebrated the

culture, history and lives of the Ulster Scots and the excavations at Monea provided an ideal opportunity to record some of that history.

A crew from the BBC visited us on site and took some footage of the archaeologists and volunteers hard at work.

Camilla and volunteer George receive instruction Children from the Downpatrick YAC at Servants Hill Open Day. from the TV crew.

The episode featuring our excavation was aired on BBC2 in August 2014 and

included a studio interview with site The poster for the open day. supervisor, Christina O’Regan. The show’s presenter, Helen Mark, was particularly intrigued by the stone axe found in cutting 6.

The weekly blog, begun in 2012, was again regularly updated and was a fantastic way of sharing information with people on both a national and international level.

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