County: Derry Site name: RIVER FOYLE, DERRY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd, Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.
Site type: Riverine
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 644699m, N 918254m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.009850, -7.301207
Intertidal and underwater assessment took place of five riverbed/foreshore impact locations (Bridge Supports 1–5) associated with the proposed Peace Bridge Project, Derry city. The proposed bridge structure will span the River Foyle between Ebrington Barracks and the Foyle embankment. The structure will have five support structures, two of which will impact on the central river channel (Supports 2–3), two are to be located close to the eastern and western riverbanks (Supports 1 and 4) and one is to be located on the eastern river embankment (Support 5).
A systematic visual inspection was undertaken at each impact location, which included a sizable buffer zone, extending the assessment across a 20m radius at each bridge support location. A metal-detection survey was undertaken across a 20m by 20m area of seabed surrounding the location for Bridge Support 3, providing a representative sample of target frequency across the subtidal zone. It was also undertaken along a 20m stretch of intertidal foreshore at the location of Bridge Support 4.
No archaeologically significant material was encountered as part of the assessment. However, material of historic interest was encountered at the proposed location of Bridge Support 2. This material included two timber piles and two masonry blocks and is thought to date from the 19th century. The assessment was carried out in accordance with the recommendations outlined by the Department of Environment Northern Ireland and in consultation with the Centre for Maritime Archaeology at the University of Ulster on 18 June 2009.
