Settlement deserted - medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on low-lying ground on the N bank of the SE-NW Finisk River c. 300m E of where it joins the N-S Blackwater River. The name is derived from Áth Mheadhain - the middle ford (WA029-012----) (Power 1898a, 92), which is on the River Blackwater, just to the W. References to the town of Affane are limited to its inclusion on a list dated 1300 and an incident in 1312, but the presence of a church (WA029-013001-) and castle (WA029-076----) c. 300m apart suggests the presence of a settlement (Bradley et al. 1988, 1-5). It was the site of a significant battle in 1565 (WA021-030----), and it returned a relatively high population of 104 in 1659 (Pender 1939, 335).

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. (1989) Urban archaeology Survey of Waterford City and County, 2 vols. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works.
Pender, S. (1939) A census of Ireland c. 1659. Stationary Office. Dublin.
Power, Rev. P. (1898a) Ancient ruined churches of Co. Waterford, WAJ 4, 83-95, 195-219.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Revised by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 26 July 2011

References

Power, Rev. P. 1898a Ancient ruined churches of Co. Waterford. Waterford and South East of Ireland Archaeological Journal 4, 83-95, 195-219.

Pender, S. (ed.) 1939 A census of Ireland, c. 1659. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. 1989b Urban archaeological survey - Waterford City and County (2 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.