County: Cork Site name: MONKSTOWN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 09D031; 09R085
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd, Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Site type: Seabed and intertidal foreshore
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 576964m, N 565861m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.844495, -8.334310
Non-disturbance assessment took place of the footprint of a proposed floating marina at Monsktown, Co. Cork. The proposed development will comprise of a 285-berth marina with adjacent marina facilities. To facilitate the marina it is proposed to reclaim a c. 80m (east–west) by c. 190m section of foreshore and undertake marine dredging of a 190m (east–west) by 370m area of seabed.
Systematic visual inspection of the subtidal seabed and intertidal/foreshore areas surrounding the proposed inwater impacts was undertaken. In addition, eight side-scan sonar anomalies (SS1–SS8) located within the proposed dredge area were dive inspected. No archaeologically significant structures or features were encountered as part of this endeavour. However, the seabed under assessment was found to have a good holding content and provide conditions that are ideal for the preservation of archaeological material. As such, the potential for subsurface in situ archaeological material remains high; a potential highlighted by the presence of an intact glazed red-earthenware pot of probable 17thcentury date recovered as part of the dive survey. In addition, an admiralty anchor was encountered towards the northern limit of the development footprint. It was recommended that this feature be moved, under supervision, to an alternative location prior to commencement of the on-site works.
