County: Tipperary Site name: RIVER SHANNON: Cullenagh, Ballina
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06D084, 06R194
Author: Eoghan Kieran, Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 569757m, N 673640m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.812890, -8.448609
An underwater assessment was carried out on the site of Cullenagh Weir (TN025–08), Ballina, Co. Tipperary. The weir was recorded on the first-edition OS of the area as travelling across the River Shannon from Cullenagh on the eastern side to Ballina on the western side. There is no depiction of the weir in the second edition, as it appeared that river-deepening works associated with the construction of the Ardnacrusha power plant between 1928 and 1934 removed the feature.
The aim of this assessment was to determine whether portions of the weir still survive, and to then detail their condition and extent. A composite survey strategy was designed to ensure maximum coverage of the subject area. This involved, after completion of a desktop study, the use of a high-resolution side-scan sonar to image any portions of the weir that may be in the subject area. Subsequent to and based on the results of this survey, a diver visual and video survey would be conducted.
Water depth at the site negated the possibility of deployment of the side-scan sonar, consequently a series of overlapping dives were conducted. They recorded that few remains appeared to exist on the site. The eastern shore appeared to contain the remnants of the sluice demolition debris; the area upstream appeared to be naturally shallow which led to the site of the former sluice and weir. In this area the dive survey did not record the presence of any structural remains that may be indicative of the existence of an intact portion of the former weir.
Both diver and desktop studies appeared to indicate that the site was removed some time between 1840 and 1921. It was replaced by a second weir and sluice, which itself was removed between 1930 and 1934. There were no visible discernible features noted on the riverbed in this area. Notwithstanding this, and considering the importance of previous discoveries in this area, it must be considered that the removal of riverbed material in this area did have the potential to impact on previously unknown archaeological deposits.
Based on this assessment, it was recommended that site works be subjected to a programme of monitoring.
Corporate House, Ballybrit Business Park, Galway
