County: Louth Site name: GREENORE HARBOUR, Greenore
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01D056
Author: Audrey Gahan, ADS
Site type: Quay
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 722415m, N 810765m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.031538, -6.131363
Prior to the substantial refurbishing and strengthening of 90m of quay wall at Greenore Harbour, Co. Louth, an assessment of the quay, which was constructed between 1870 and 1873, was undertaken. Phase 1 of the refurbishment, on approximately 165m of wall, had already been undertaken. The works will consist of the insertion of a combination of driven tubular and sheet piles in front of the existing quay wall and filling the intervening void with rock fill. While the quay wall will not be damaged in this exercise, it will be obscured from view.
A survey of the 90m stretch of quay wall was undertaken at low tide, by suspending the archaeologist in a metal cage from a crane, and consisted primarily of an extensive photographic record.
A series of 26 vertical indentations were identified along the length of the quay, which form part of the buffers which were originally used to ensure that the quay remained undamaged by vessels mooring alongside. In several, the remains of timber beams were identified, along with the remains of iron hooks and pegs which would have secured the timbers. Additional security may have been afforded by a series of slightly protruding stones, present at intervals on either side of the indentations.
A blocked-up access point was also identified. This was 2.47m wide and approximately 2m high, and was approximately 2m from the top of the quay wall. This entrance/exit would have functioned as an access point onto or off any ship moored alongside. It is probable that both cargo and passengers could have used this access point.
Unit 48, Westlink Enterprise Centre, 30–50 Distillery Street, Belfast BT12 5BJ
