2023:813 - Ballygawley Lough, Ballydawley, Sligo
County: Sligo
Site name: Ballygawley Lough, Ballydawley
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 23D0057, 23R0185
Author: Rex Bangerter, ADCO
Author/Organisation Address: No. 2, Main Street, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny
Site type: Lacustrine
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 569594m, N 828776m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.206992, -8.466077
Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment (UAIA) was undertaken as part of the pre-planning requirement for a proposed Heritage Trial around Ballygawley Lough. The project includes a c. 440m-long floating pontoon walkway on the east side of the lough, the walkway forming a meandering structure that extends between ITM 569424E, 829111N (north) and ITM 569660N, 828740N (south).
The UAIA included a 550m by 188m section of lakebed/adjacent shoreline (on the east side of the lough) and was completed on 8 May 2023.
Two RMP sites are located with the vicinity of the proposed development: SL020-169—- (Crannog), located 161m south-southwest of the survey area, and SL020-269—- (Crannog), located 218m south-southwest.
A partially intact canoe paddle (oak fabric, medieval date) was encountered, lying partially buried (at a depth of c. 300mm) within the deep deposits of silt (2m+) that comprise the upper bed levels within Ballygawley Lough. The find was recovered to surface in order to make an initial assessment/undertake primary recording, later being relocated to a secure position elsewhere within the lough, the paddle being reburied in the same anaerobic environment from which it was initially recovered.