2005:1058 - RIVER BOYNE, Drogheda, Louth

An underwater assessment was carried out on the area to be impacted upon by the proposed new bridge across the River Boyne. The bridge will span the River Boyne between the South Quay, extending from the Dublin Road and Marsh Road across the Boyne to Merchants’ Quay.

A non-disturbance visual inspection was carried out and a full metal-detection survey was completed. Visibility was very poor; in the instances of zero or very poor visibility, the survey method employed relies on touch, where the diver feels for any features or finds. No archaeological features were identified during the river survey and the metal detection failed to reveal any possible ferrous archaeological finds. A number of metal finds were identified, but on retrieval and further inspection they proved to be modern debris.

In addition to the dive survey, an intertidal survey was carried out in low tide conditions when the entire quay wall was visible. The foundation base of the wall was entirely covered with seaweed, as was much of the wall. The substrate of the riverbed was muddy. The North Quay wall is comprised of large cut limestone blocks. The upper section of the wall appears to be constructed of concrete for a depth of 0.5m. The cut stone blocks are mostly square and rectangular in shape. There is mortar present between the stones in some areas. The average stone measures c. 0.6m by 0.3m, getting smaller, moving upwards, to an average of c. 0.5m by 0.2m. There is a stone foundation measuring c. 2m to the riverbed. This supports the vertical straight wall at a 45° angle into the riverbed. There was a metal mooring ring attached to the quay wall c. 5m from the eastern end. The area assessed was 20m in length.

Unit 4, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14