A team of archaeologists from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has uncovered more than 1,000 historical artefacts during a three-week excavation at the Green Fort in Sligo town.
The site, perched on Fort Hill, is a significant remnant of the town’s 17th Century defences and represents one of only 65 bastioned forts known across Ireland.
The Green Fort holds a rich history, believed to have been constructed during the Nine Years War (1594–1603). It was in existence during both the Confederate Wars and the Williamite Wars.
Archaeologists carried out their investigation by opening an excavation trench within the interior of the fort. This method allowed them to gain valuable insights into the structure and usage of the site over time, as well as recover a wide range of artefacts that had lain buried for centuries.
Among the items discovered were military objects alongside personal items shedding light on the daily lives of the fort’s former inhabitants. These included remnants of food, drink, and smoking-related artefacts, offering a tangible connection to the habits and routines of soldiers once stationed at the historic stronghold.