Three separate investigations between 1999 and 2002 examined different sites across the settlement, which sits overlooking the Leanann River. The first excavation, conducted under licence 99E0343, involved test trenches on a steeply sloping site. Despite the promising location above the river, archaeologists found only topsoil directly covering compacted sandy clay; the severe gradient of the land appears to have discouraged settlement in this particular area throughout history.

Further work in late 1999 focused on the Quays area, near the site of an earlier castle. During renovations to an old mill building and bottle factory, archaeologists monitored the excavation of foundation trenches and lift shafts. The investigation revealed post-medieval pottery sherds mixed with modern building rubble, including red brick, slate and tiles, all contained within dark silty clay. These deposits likely represent redeposited material from when the warehouse and mill buildings were originally constructed, along with fill used for land reclamation along the waterfront.

A third investigation took place at 20 Bridge Street in 2002, where local authority houses were being built. The development required the removal of a steep bank and a stone retaining wall, which conservation architects determined had no historical significance. The wall, built from uncut stones and loose mortar mixed with brick fragments, was carefully recorded before being dismantled by hand. Behind it, excavators found only dark topsoil overlying boulder clay, with no traces of earlier occupation or archaeological features.