2013:032 - Toome Lough, Donegal

A non-disturbance archaeological underwater archaeological assessment of two proposed impact areas (Areas 1-2) in Toome Lough, associated with the N56 Road Improvement Scheme, was undertaken on 6 September 2013. The impact areas are located off the south-east shore of Toome Lough, immediately adjacent to the route of the existing N56 roadway. The first impact area (Area 1) is located at NGR: 179836E, 400708N (centre-point) and measures 69m (east-west) x 20m in extent. The second, Area 2, is located at NGR: 179789E, 400573N (centre-point) and measures 52m (east-west) x 26m. While assessment was concentrated within the two lakebed impact areas, a sizeable buffer zone was also incorporated into the survey; the assessment area extending to include much of the submerged shoreline along the south-eastern side of Toome Lough. In addition, an underwater metal-detection survey was also employed to identify the location and spread of any sub-surface metallic objects within the impact areas.
Toome Lough is a linear-shaped lake with a distinct angle in its southern extent, giving a slight V-shaped plan to the lake area, with the apex facing to the east. The south-east shoreline combines natural shoreline with made-ground that is associated with reclamation to support the existing N56 road. The combination presents a varied topography, where the natural shoreline is shallow and the lake-bed dips gently from the shoreline before it slopes more steeply to a featureless muddy bottom in the centre of the lake. In contrast, the reclaimed areas are dominated by a continuous heap of stone chips that extend the surface area into the lake and plunge steeply from there to merge with the deeper contours of the lakebed.
The two inspection areas occupy two small inlets created by the reclaimed land on either side. The lake-bed in each inspection area slopes gently and is covered in silty sand, interspersed with small rocks and boulders. Bedrock outcrops in an east-west alignment are located in the more southerly inspection area. A series of relict tree stumps is preserved along the shoreline. The stumps are now semi-submerged, indicating that the lake area was previously smaller than it is at present.
The work successfully assessed the archaeological potential along the south-eastern shoreline of Toome Lough, and provides a greater understanding of lakebed topography within the survey area. No features, deposits, or structures of archaeological significance were encountered as part of the survey.

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