2008:1084 - River Shannon at Derg Marina, Cullenagh, Ballina Wreck, Tipperary

Archaeological investigation as part of the second phase of archaeological mitigation measures was undertaken at Derg Marina as part of the pre-development requirements for the site.
The initial phase of survey work included a non-disturbance underwater assessment of the development footprint and a c. 400m section of the adjacent River Shannon. The assessment identified a portion of iron wreckage from the Lady Lansdowne, thought to be the stern section of the vessel, lying on its port side at NGR 169856 173549 (centre-point). In addition, a second anomaly was identified downriver from the Lady Lansdowne at NGR 169871 173518 (centre-point), comprising a composite timber object buried within the silt-covered riverbed. The inspection work was undertaken by archaeological divers between 21 and 22 February 2008.
A landward archaeological investigation of the wreck site area was undertaken by Máire Ní Loingsigh (Sheila Lane & Co.) in May 2008 (see No. 1119 below, 08E0269). This investigation was restricted in access by constant waterlogging of the excavated test-trenches.
Further investigation sought to identify the condition, extent and orientation of the remains of Lady Lansdowne and identify the nature and extent of the second anomaly. A programme of testing was devised to resolve these questions and was carried out on 18–19 June 2008.
Testing of the Lady Lansdowne was undertaken using a tracked-machine excavator. Monitoring and inspection of the test-trenches was undertaken as an in-water exercise. Continued investigation of the second anomaly was carried out as an underwater exercise using a water-dredge.
Two test-trenches were excavated to further investigate the site of the Lady Lansdowne. The first trench (Trench 1) was cut adjacent to the exposed section of wreckage, identifying its continuation into the land reclamation area of the marina. The trench was then extended north-north-eastwards for a distance of 9.8m, following the line of the wreckage to expose the starboard side of the vessel. A second trench (Trench 2) was excavated, along the projected line of the wreckage, 8.2m north-east from the Trench 1, and also uncovered the continuation of the starboard line of vessel. As with the previous trench, the excavation was extended north-north-eastwards and followed the wreckage to its terminus at NGR 169665 173459.
Testing identified that the Lady Lansdowne remains in situ and largely intact. The wreckage is lying on its port side and measures 36m (118ft) in length, runs between NGR 169696 173441 and NGR 169665 173459 and is orientated in a south-south-east to north-north-west direction. The eastern limit of the Lady Lansdowne is clearly defined and allowed a precise avoidance strategy to be devised for the construction phase of the marina development.
The second anomaly, located downriver at NGR 169871 173518, was excavated and its limits established. The excavation revealed a series of internal planking timbers, surrounding an engine block, oriented north-east/south-west. The wreckage measures 7.26m (north-east/south-west) and 1.95m (east–west) and represents the lower section of the hull from a wooden trawler. The anomaly has been identified as a section of wreckage from a modern trawler and is of no archaeological significance.