County: Waterford Site name: Davitt’s Quay, Dungarvan Harbour
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WA031-040 (Zone of Archaeological Potential) Licence number: 13E038, 13D005, 13R019
Author: Rex Bangerter
Site type: Seabed
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 446400m, N 575057m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.906458, -10.232409
An archaeological assessment of a section of seabed within Dungarvan Harbour, located adjacent to Davitt’s Quay, on the south side of the harbour was undertaken. The assessment was carried out as part of the preparatory works associated with pontoon development 14546, which seeks to upgrade and replace the existing pontoon structure and undertake dredging works to facilitate deeper berths along that structure.
The area of seabed identified for assessment measures 140m in length (north-west/south-east) and 38m in width, and comprises of both intertidal and sub-tidal elements. The assessment was concentrated within the footprint of the proposed dredge area, although a sizeable buffer zone was incorporated, extending the survey area on the upstream (north-west), downstream (south-east), and north side of the development.
The development area is within the historic town of Dungarvan, which is a zone of archaeological potential, as defined by the RMP. It is located several hundred metres upstream of Dungarvan Castle, and it lies at the foot of the town’s quays, which were constructed since the 18th century, and are in their present guise since the early 19th century.
The archaeological work included intertidal survey (undertaken at Low Water) and a dive survey of the sub-tidal sections of the proposed dredge area. Where practicable, a metal-detection survey (Fisher Aquanaut 1280U) was undertaken to identify the location and spread of any sub-surface metallic objects. A probe survey was also carried out to ascertain the depth of soft sediment covering the seabed within the development footprint. The survey consisted of two survey lines with probing undertaken at 1m intervals. One line followed the long axis of the sediment; the second line was set at right angles to provide cross-sectional details.
Apart from the existing quay wall, forming part of Davitt’s Quay, no other features, deposits, structures, or material of archaeological or historic significance were encountered as part of the assessment.
The archaeological work has provided a detailed record of seabed topography within the survey area, it assessed the archaeological potential of the seabed at this location, and it provided a record of the existing quay wall that runs alongside the proposed development. The assessment was carried out on 22 February 2013. Subsequent construction phase monitoring was carried out under license number 13E038 ext. in December 2013 and January 2014?
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