9,000-year-old 'Swiss Army kit' found in Co Wicklow

Updated / Thursday, 29 Oct 2026 16:23

Researchers at the Threecastles Solar Farm near Blessington have discovered what is believed to be the oldest archaeological site ever excavated in Co Wicklow.

The site, identified during pre-construction archaeological investigations, contained evidence of human activity dating back approximately 9,000 years to the Early Mesolithic period.

The ringfort was preserved in its original place, with the solar farm designed around the monument, while subsequent excavations uncovered flint tools and other evidence showing human activity at Threecastles spanning thousands of years.

Archaeological surveys revealed a previously unknown ringfort on the site.

Archaeologist Laurence Dunne said that the discoveries give a 'rare glimpse' into the early life of these early stone age people.

"It is a rare glimpse into the ritual and daily life of a small, nomadic community of people that had travelled up the rivers and the valleys and accessed the rich abundance of resources including fish and hunting game."

Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One today, Mr Dunne referred to the findings as a ‘stone age tool kit’.

"The tools were used for everything that you would use today in terms of cutting, sharpening, and scrapping. Flint is exceptionally sharp, it was the ‘Swiss Army Kit’ of the time.

"To find these tools in a placed environment, under the ground, in a pit, is a remarkable occurrence," he added.

"It is a very small site and there are about 130 others around the country. There are much bigger and more notable ones, but it is a rarity.

"Nearby, the same spot was accessed again nearly 4,000 years later, in the later Mesolithic period, adding to the importance of this site as an area of abundance and the commencement of farming in Ireland," he said.

Mr Dunne added that the artifacts would now be deposited in the National Museum of Ireland, who will make the decision whether to put them on display.

The solar farm was awarded a contract under the Government’s second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction, RESS 2.

The electricity being generated is expected to power over 4,200 homes annually and to offset over 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

The solar farm’s community benefit fund will contribute over €40,000 annually in support of a range of local initiatives in the Blessington area.