Archaeologists Discover 9,000-Year-Old Tools While Searching for Lost Irish Castle
FERMANAGH, Northern Ireland — December 5, 2025 — Archaeologists conducting a search for the long-lost Derrygonnelly Castle in County Fermanagh have uncovered prehistoric artifacts dating back more than 9,000 years, officials said. The excavation, led by Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), involved nearly 250 schoolchildren and 35 adult volunteers over a two-week period in October.
The team aimed to locate Derrygonnelly Castle, a 17th-century structure that was abandoned by the 1800s and largely forgotten, according to QUB professor Eileen Murphy. While the castle itself has yet to be fully uncovered, the dig revealed numerous artifacts from the 17th to 19th centuries, including clay pipe fragments, a possible half-penny from the Glorious Revolution, and a defensive ditch built to protect the castle during its construction.
However, the most unexpected discoveries were much older. Archaeologists found flint and chert tools from the Early Mesolithic era, indicating that hunter-gatherer groups likely used the site as a seasonal camp. Murphy described these finds as “hugely exciting and unexpected,” noting that they represent the first Early Mesolithic remains identified in County Fermanagh to date.
In addition to the tools, the excavation uncovered evidence of a prehistoric round house dating to the Early Bronze Age, approximately 4,000 years ago. This dating was supported by the discovery of a large fragment of diagnostic pottery at the base of one of the house’s post-holes.
The 17th-century artifacts recovered, including the stem of a wine goblet and imported English pottery, suggest the castle’s occupants had access to high-status items. Historical records describe Derrygonnelly Castle as having a “pretty garden,” an orchard with fruit trees, and a grand three-story tower. The discovery of the defensive ditch provides new insight into the castle’s original fortifications.
The community archaeology project engaged local schoolchildren, including a girls’ Lego construction team, in the excavation process, fostering educational involvement alongside the scientific investigation. The combined efforts of volunteers and professionals have expanded understanding of the site’s long and varied history, spanning from prehistoric times through the early modern period.
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