2010:518 - River Boyne, Fennor, Meath

Non-disturbance assessment of a section of the River Boyne took place, centred on Slane Bridge (ME019–024). A condition survey and an archaeological and conservation assessment of Slane Bridge, a structure that incorporates elements from the 14th century, has been carried out previously (Atkins/IAC Ltd). The present assessment sought to identify and record the location, nature and dimensions of any archaeological features, fabric or artifacts that may be visible and exposed within the riverbed area.
Visual inspection was employed to assess the potential of a 350m section of riverbed along the River Boyne, 200m upstream and 150m downstream of Slane Bridge. The survey was primarily concerned with assessing the archaeological potential of the riverbed and any river features located upstream and downstream of the bridge structure. In addition, a metal-detection survey was undertaken across two riverbed areas to provide an indication of the concentration of metallic debris within the riverbed deposits. A detailed description of riverbed topography was made along the River Boyne survey area, supplemented by a photographic record of the existing river environment and any features of interest. A hand-held GPS unit was used to record and position-fix any features encountered. A finds retrieval strategy dealing with conservation issues, cataloguing and location recording was in place to deal with any artefacts recovered during the survey.
No archaeologically significant materials, deposits, or structures were observed as part of the assessment. However, a number of historically significant features were encountered as part of the survey (Features 1–5). The majority of these features (sluice structure, weir, river walling, etc.) are directly related to the establishment of Slane Mill in the latter part of the 18th century. Slane Bridge (Feature 1) represents the oldest surviving structure within the river survey area, a multi-phase structure whose original build is thought to date from the 14th century. As such, this structure is of considerable archaeological and architectural importance, being one of the few bridge structures of that period remaining in Ireland. Slane Bridge also incorporates, along its northern side, elements designed to facilitate the downstream mill complex; the river being subject to significant adaptation in the 18th and 19th century with the establishment of Slane Mill and the Boyne Navigation Channel. It is clear that the river area under assessment is of considerable historic importance, both from an industrial heritage standpoint, the river’s navigational history and in the context of Slane Bridge retaining some of the earliest standing bridge features in the country. However, given the presence of a concrete apron and paved sill surrounding Slane Bridge, the high water velocities experienced and the hostile nature of the natural riverbed, there is limited potential for the survival of archaeologically significant materials, deposits or structures within the riverbed deposits examined.