Ruairí Ó Baoill c/o Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen’s University

CAF Data Structure Report No. 47 Excavations at Greencastle, County (DOWN 057: 003)

AE/ 01/ 13

On behalf of

Excavations at Greencastle,

Ruairí Ó Baoill

CAF DSR No. 47 J 2473 1184 SMR: Down 057: 003 AE/ 01/ 13

January 2007

Contents

Chapter 1: Summary 1

Chapter 2: Introduction 5

Chapter 3: Excavation 12

Chapter 4: Discussion 25

Chapter 5: Recommendations for further work 27

Chapter 6: Specialist Reports 28

Acknowledgements 30

Bibliography 31

Appendix 1: Context list 33

Appendix 2: Field drawing register 39

Appendix 3: Photographic record 42

Appendix 4: Small finds list 58

Excavations at Greencastle, County Down Down 057:003 AE/01/13 ______

1 Summary

1 Background

1.1. An archaeological excavation was carried out from 19- 26 February and 8 May- 3 September 2001 adjacent to the medieval castle of Greencastle, County Down (Figs. 1 and 2). The area where the excavation took place stood outside a small garden, connected to the working farm that shares the location with the castle, part of which had become a tree-covered waste ground. The investigation was carried out by the EHS: Archaeological Excavation Unit on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service: Built Heritage (Licence number AE/01/13; grid reference on castle J24731184)). As the Greencastle is also a Scheduled Monument, Scheduled Monument Consent was sought from and granted by the Environment and Heritage Service: Built Heritage before excavation commenced. The work took place in advance of the construction of a residential development, located approximately 20m south-west of the castle (SMR: Down 057: 003).

1.1.2 The importance of Greencastle as a medieval fortification is well attested to in the historical records. Several excavations have taken place at the castle since the 1950s, uncovering thousands of artefacts and much information about the development and layout of the castle complex.

1.1.3 A number of other medieval monuments are close by the site and castle, including a later medieval church (SMR: Down 057: 002) and an earlier motte or earthen castle (SMR: Down 057: 001) (Figs. 3 and 4: Plate 1). It appears that an entire medieval landscape survives in this part of Co Down. Directly across Carlingford Lough is the medieval town and castle of Carlingford, Co. Louth.

1.2 Objectives

1.2.1 The object of the excavation was to uncover, record and excavate all archaeological strata and features that were in danger of being destroyed by the new development. It was hoped that the excavation would uncover evidence of medieval activity in the environs of the castle and throw light upon the settlement that must have existed in the vicinity of the castle. The results of the excavation were to be published in a recognised archaeological journal.

1.3 Excavation

1.3.1 An area slightly larger than the imprint of the proposed new building (24m x 12m) was archaeologically excavated by hand. The site was cleared of debris (much of it formed when

1 Excavations at Greencastle, County Down Down 057:003 AE/01/13 ______

Figure 1: General location map

Figure 2: Detailed location map showing site (circled in red)

2 Excavations at Greencastle, County Down Down 057:003 AE/01/13 ______mature trees were removed prior to excavation without archaeological consultation), then topsoil stripped by machine under strict archaeological supervision before manual excavation commenced. Because the major outbreak of foot-and-mouth that occurred in 2001 just after the excavation commenced in February, the archaeological works were suspended until May, when it was deemed safe to recommence.

1.3.2 The excavation uncovered evidence of significant medieval strata and features, including the remains of a subsoil cut structure and a stone building. In excess of 2,500 sherds of pottery were recovered, most of these medieval. Dozens of other artefacts, including medieval coins, arrowheads and knives were also uncovered.

1.4 Discussion

1.4.1 The results of the excavation carried out in 2001 showed the importance of Greencastle as a medieval coastal fortification. The site revealed evidence of occupation from the 13th century up to modern times. It was the first occasion that investigation had been possible so close to the castle and proved that intensive activity was taking place in the environs of the castle as well as inside it. It also proved that significant archaeological deposits survive within the areas adjacent to Greencastle.

1.5 Recommendations

1.5.1 The 2001 excavation adjacent to Greencastle produced stratigraphic sequences with associated artefactual and faunal assemblages. Given the lack of excavations in Ireland adjacent to major castles, as opposed to within the castles themselves, the archaeological importance of the 2001 excavation at Greencastle should not be underestimated. Specialist analysis on the recovered artefacts and samples should help to date and interpret the activities that were going on in the site from its construction in the mid-13th century until its destruction in 1652. The prompt and full publication of this excavation is to be greatly desired. It is recommended that the report on the 2001 excavation adjacent to Greencastle be published in an academic journal such as the Ulster Journal of Archaeology.

3 Excavations at Greencastle, County Down Down 057:003 AE/01/13 ______

Figure 3: Site of the 2001 excavation and archaeological sites in the immediate environs

Figure 4: Location of 2001 excavation in relation to the Greencastle

4 Excavations at Greencastle, County Down Down 057:003 AE/01/13 ______

2 Introduction

2.1 General

2.1.1 The following report details the preliminary results of the archaeological excavations beside Greencastle, County Down undertaken by the Environment and Heritage Service: Archaeological Excavation Unit from 19- 26 February and 8 May- 3 September 2001. The excavation was undertaken on behalf of the Environment and Heritage Service: Built Heritage who funded the project. The excavation was carried out in advance of the construction of a new building adjacent to the medieval castle of Greencastle, County Down (SMR Down 057: 003).

2.2 Background

2.2.1 The excavation took place adjacent, roughly 20m south-west, of the medieval castle of Greencastle, County Down. The castle is designated both a State Care and Scheduled Monument (SMR Down 057: 003). The castle (and the site where the 2001 excavation took place) is founded on a rocky outcrop surrounded by what is now pastureland. This gives the castle a commanding view of the hinterland. In 2001 the area where the excavation took place stood outside a small garden, connected to the working farm that shares the location with the castle, part of which had become a tree-covered waste ground.

2.2.2 Greencastle, Co. Down is located close to the shoreline at the mouth of Carlingford Lough, directly opposite the medieval town and castle at Carlingford, in the townland of Ballyardle. A small quay and fishing village is situated further west along the shore. The castle lies, indirectly, between and and is bounded by the Mountains to the north. The coastal location of the castle would have provided it with vast food resources as well as the means of transportation and communication in the medieval period.

2.2.3 Greencastle was built in the mid-13th century as a royal castle and, along with King John's Castle Carlingford, guarded the entrance to Carlingf