2002:0418 - NEW PIER, Donegal, Donegal

Test excavations at the New Pier, Donegal town, were carried out in the vicinity of an archaeological structure/quay adjacent to Donegal Friary. Under the Donegal Main Drainage Scheme it was proposed to construct a pump station with an access ramp on the foreshore between the New Pier and the archaeological structure/quay. The immediate area around the pump-house was to be raised to mitigate the tidal action. It was proposed to construct three pipelines leading from the area of the pump-house out to the main channel of the River Eske. The foreshore consists of exposed bedrock toward the landward side, with shingle and estuarine mud extending out toward the low-water mark. The site commands a view of Donegal Bay as it opens south-westward from the River Eske.

Three parallel trenches were opened across the proposed pump-house site. A further three trenches were opened along the line of the proposed pipelines. There was no indication of any archaeological features in the area of proposed development.