Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
815. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason the National Monuments Service has not carried out an official inspection following notification in August 2025 of the possible discovery of a rare Souterrain in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford; when such an inspection will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/26]
View answer816. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the interim measures that are in place to protect the site of the possible rare Souterrain in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford, pending an official inspection by the National Monuments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/26]
View answer817. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the National Monuments Service has engaged with the local heritage group in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford, following notification in August 2025 of the possible discovery of a rare Souterrain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/26]
View answer818. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether staffing or resource constraints within the National Monuments Service contributed to the delay in carrying out an inspection of the possible rare Souterrain reported in August 2025 in Courtown Woods, north County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 815, 816, 817 and 818 together.
The National Monuments Service (NMS) of my Department receives numerous reports of possible archaeological discoveries each year and are extremely grateful for these reports which can potentially help us discover, document and protect Ireland's archaeological heritage.
A member of the public provided such a report to the NMS in September 2025 with regard to a potential souterrain discovery in Courtown Woods, County Wexford. The NMS has been in ongoing liaison with this member of the public.
The initial report and photographs that were supplied in 2025 did not suggest to NMS that this was a souterrain. A recent inspection of the stone-built structure by NMS has indeed confirmed that it is likely to be a drainage feature (culvert) associated with the landscaping of the grounds of Courtown House in the 19th century. The topography of the area in which the feature is located slopes into a gorge which connects to the Owenavorragh River.
As mentioned, the NMS welcomes all reports of possible discoveries and is very thankful to the public for their vigilance in this matter.
