2007:316 - RIVER LEE ESTUARY AND OWENDUFF RIVER, Cork

Non-disturbance underwater archaeological assessment, including a metal-detection survey, took place across the River Lee at Monkstown (c. 390m-wide marine pipeline crossing-point) and field-walking of the intertidal section of the proposed pipeline route (c. 2.4km-long corridor, Owneduff River near Carrigaline) as part of the proposed Cork Harbour lower drainage scheme.

Visual inspection and magnetometry survey by hand-held metal detection was employed to assess the archaeological potential of the seabed over an area that extended 12m upstream and 50m downstream of the proposed marine pipeline. The upstream survey area was restricted due to the presence of an active ferry service between Cobh and Passage West. Detailed descriptions were made of the seabed topography and bottom composition. Where possible, metal-detected anomalies were inspected and logged. An extremely poor holding content for archaeological material was observed due to the compact nature of the riverbed/seabed, coupled with high water velocities across the central channel. The western side of the river, where current is reduced and some sediment deposition is taking place, a moderate holding content can be ascribed. No archaeologically significant materials/structures were observed during the in-water assessment of the pipeline route. Masonry and other building materials were encountered during seabed/riverbed inspection along the western limit of the underwater survey area. This material is probably associated with the remains of the 19th-century Royal Victoria Baths, originally situated on the western side of the River Lee at this location, and retains a historic rather than archaeological significance.

The proposed intertidal/foreshore locations along Owenduff River were field-walked to assess their archaeological potential and a photographic record was made. This was undertaken at Low Water to maximise survey coverage. A metal-detection survey was undertaken along a 50m stretch of foreshore to provide a sample target ratio that would be representative of the rest of the foreshore survey area. A hand-held GPS unit was used to log any items of interest encountered as part of the survey. A poor archaeological potential has been observed for the pipeline corridor at Owenduff River. It is evident that extensive modern alteration has taken place with the construction of flood protection measures and the presence of an existing pipeline running along the upper foreshore. This pipeline runs along approximately 70% of the survey area. In contrast, a good archaeological holding content can be ascribed to the intertidal mudflats, where the deep build-up of silt and clay sediments provide ideal conditions for the preservation of archaeological material.

No archaeologically significant material, structures or deposits were observed during the intertidal assessment of the pipeline route. Only two structures of note were encountered as part of the intertidal survey. These included the remains of two iron trackways, with associated boat-trolleys. However, while these structures provide a useful insight into river use in the early 1900s, they hold no inherent archaeological value.