Day 2

It was a productive morning on site, with things starting to get quite interesting in the trenches. Unfortunately in the afternoon the rain set in and we were rained-off. In Trench 4 it still looks as if the large stones at the south-eastern end of the trench are structural, with occasional mortar now appearing between the stones. At the north-western end we appear to have two steeply-sloping banks constructed of highly compact earth and stone. Excavation of the fill between these features has unearthed a deep-filled rubbish pit containing 19th to 20th century detritus, probably used to rapidly fill the gully between the two banks. Amongst the artefacts recovered are the remains of a car door (!), some fine china, glass bottles from 'J. McAllister & Son of Ballymena' and a pair of old leather boots!

In the south-eastern end of Trench 3 there is a concentration of stones which may be the footings of a small building. Subsoil has been revealed in the middle of the trench and to the north-western extent there is a dark soil which may be the fill of a ditch. Tomorrow we are extending the trench, hoping to find the far side of this possible ditch.

Over in Trench 5 the cobbled surface has been removed revealing the underlying shattered bedrock surface.

It will be interesting to see what Friday brings. Let's hope the weather is better for digging!

Day 1

Today was the first day of the volunteer-led excavation at Elagh. Three trenches have been opened, one on top of the rocky outcrop to the west of the upstanding masonry, another on the lower ground to the south-east and a third on the lower ground to the north. The first trench (Trench 4) is the most promising in terms of evidence for structural masonry. We have an area of large rounded stones which are associated with a deposit containing fragments of mortar. Further excavation will tell us more about this feature. Interesting finds from this trench have included a small brass handle and two sherds of 17th-century stoneware.

A view of Elagh castle and the rocky outcrop on which it sits

In the second trench (Trench 3) we are still excavating the plough-soil but 17th and 18th century artefacts have been turning up. 

In the third trench (Trench 5) we have what looks like a cobbled surface. Hopefully a good day's digging tomorrow will reveal some of Elagh castle's secrets.

 

Trench 4

And finally, a big thanks to all our enthusiastic volunteers - many hands make light work!