UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF

UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

OF

PROPOSED OUTFALL

AT SOUTH QUAYS, DROGHEDA, CO. LOUTH

ON BEHALF OF

IRISH ARCHEOLOGICAL CONSULTANCY LTD (IAC)

Moore Marine

Job Number: M09LH02

Licence Number: 0967, 09173

Author: Eoghan Kieran & Benen Hayden

Date: September 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 SCOPE OF WORKS ..........................................................................................................................1

1.1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Purpose of the Project ..................................................................................................................1

2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT ...............................................................................................2 2.1 Description of the Project.............................................................................................................2 2.2 Site Layout/Location details .........................................................................................................4

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT.............................................................................4 3.1 Solid Geology ................................................................................................................................4

4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ......................................................................4 4.1 Mesolithic Period..........................................................................................................................4 4.2 Neolithic Period ............................................................................................................................5 4.3 The Bronze Age.............................................................................................................................5 4.4 The Iron Age/Early Historic Period ...............................................................................................6 4.5 Later Historic Period .....................................................................................................................8 4.6 Post Medieval Drogheda ............................................................................................................10 4.7 Marsh Road : 20th Century.........................................................................................................15 4.8 Site Specific Background.............................................................................................................15

4.8.1 South Quays, Drogheda ......................................................................................................15 5 BASELINE DATA............................................................................................................................17

5.1 Register of Monuments and Places ............................................................................................17 5.2 Topographical Files of the National Museum of Ireland ............................................................22 5.3 Previous archaeological fieldwork in the area............................................................................23 5.4 Place-name evidence..................................................................................................................28 5.5 Aerial photographs .....................................................................................................................28 5.6 Record of Protected Structures ..................................................................................................28 5.7 Ports and Harbours Archive........................................................................................................29 5.8 National Shipwreck Inventory ....................................................................................................29 5.9 Cartographic Sources..................................................................................................................31

5.9.1 1st Edition Ordnance Survey ...............................................................................................31 5.9.2 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey...............................................................................................32

6 UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY ..................................................................................33 6.1 Field Survey Methodology and Strategy.....................................................................................33 6.2 Site Conditions............................................................................................................................33 6.3 Site Survey ..................................................................................................................................33 6.4 Results ........................................................................................................................................40

7 DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................................40 7.1 Discussion ...................................................................................................................................40

7.1.1 The Development Area.......................................................................................................40 7.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts................................................................................................40 7.3 Recommendations......................................................................................................................41

APPENDIX 1 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..........................................................................................................42 APPENDIX 2 LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND ......................................................................................43 APPENDIX 3 IMPACT ASSESSMENT & THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE .....................................46

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Extract from Discovery Series Map # 43 showing site location highlighted in magenta .........2 Figure 2. Overall development plan .......................................................................................................3 Figure 3. Cross section of outfall ............................................................................................................3 Figure 4. Extract from Ravell's map of Drogheda (1749)........................................................................8 Figure 5. Overseas trade of Drogheda 13th-15th centuries .................................................................12 Figure 6. Extract from RMP Maps (LH:024) with site location highlighted in magenta........................17 Figure 7. Extract from RMP Maps [online], RMP sites are highlighted in red and the site location in

magenta..................................................................................................................................18 Figure 8. Extract from First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, surveyed Jan 1836...................................31 Figure 9. Extract from 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1909...........................................................32

TABLE OF PLATES

Plate 1. Painting by Van der Hagen c.1718 depicting Drogheda with its fortification........................10 Plate 2. Dugout boat under excavation discovered on a river bank site on Marsh Road...................11 Plate 3. St. Mary’s Mill ........................................................................................................................13 Plate 4. Photograph depicting late 19th century riverbank downstream of development site .........15 Plate 5. Aerial image of New South Quays with survey area highlighted in magenta........................28 Plate 6. River revetment wall ..............................................................................................................35 Plate 7. Masonry dump area to the east of outfall location................................................................36 Plate 8. View of intertidal shore at outfall location, looking west.......................................................36 Plate 9. View of survey area looking west ..........................................................................................37 Plate 10. Metals noted on foreshore.....................................................................................................37 Plate 11. Metal hoop noted on foreshore .............................................................................................38 Plate 12. Stony foreshore ......................................................................................................................38 Plate 13. More foreshore metals...........................................................................................................39 Plate 14. Diver survey in progress .........................................................................................................39

TABLE OF TABLES Table 1. Location details ........................................................................................................................4

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Moore Marine Services Ltd. was commissioned

by Irish Archaeological Consultancy to carry out

an underwater archaeological impact

assessment of a proposed outfall at New South

Quays, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

The assessment took place on 9th September

2009 under Dive Licence 09D67, 09R173.

Water flow at the time of the survey was

moderate with very poor visibility. The

maximum recorded water depth was 4.1m.

The underwater archaeological assessment was

commissioned in order to locate, define and

ascertain the character, condition and extent of

any archaeological features, deposits or

objects, which may be affected by the

development.

Drogheda has a rich archaeological and

historical heritage and desktop analysis of the

historical and archaeological background to the

site recorded that the proposed outfall site was

on the border of the historic town of Drogheda

and was within half of a kilometre of a number

of RMP sites. Desktop analysis also recorded

that there has been no previous archaeological

survey undertaken on the site. There were a

number of listed buildings in the vicinity but

none on the site itself. Assessment of

cartographic sources revealed that the subject

site was an intertidal mud flat up until the late

19th century, when St. Mary’s Mill was

constructed on the site. The construction of

this facility, reclaimed much of the previous

foreshore and constructed a riverfront wall at

the site.

The site survey recorded that whilst there was

a considerable amount of metallic and masonry

debris noted on the foreshore, none of this

appeared to be archaeological. In addition, a

considerable amount of material was noted in

the underwater zone. The range of material in

this area varied hugely and although all the

visible and detectable material was modern,

there was potential for this area to contain

buried archaeological artefacts.

Based on this assessment, it was subsequently

recommended that:

1. All invasive groundworks associated

with the outfall construction be

monitored by an archaeologist.

2. If possible, all excavated material

should be metal detected for the

presence of previously unrecorded

archaeological artefacts.

.

M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009

MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 1

1 SCOPE OF WORKS

1.1 Introduction

Moore Marine Ltd. was commissioned by Irish Archaeological Consultancy (IAC) to carry out an

underwater archaeological impact assessment of a proposed outfall at the New South Quays, Drogheda,

Co. Meath.

This assessment addresses the location, nature, character, condition and extent of any cultural heritage

which may be affected by the proposed outfall and assesses the likelihood of the project impacting

previously unrecorded archaeological deposits or features. The following report documents the

proposed project, the existing environment at the site, survey methodologies, results of the surveys,

potential impacts and subsequent recommendations.

1.2 Purpose of the Project

The aim of the underwater archaeological impact assessment was to:

• Ascertain the character, condition and extent of any archaeological areas, features or objects

likely to be affected by the proposed works, including any associated temporary works and to

ascertain the potential impact of the works on archaeological remains outside the immediate

area of the proposed works as these may be vulnerable to impacts arising from consequent

changes in hydrology and sediment formation

• Accurately locate these archaeological areas, features and objects and present the findings in

map form

• Describe same and discuss their likely provenance

• Ascertain the potential impact of the proposed works on these remains

• Recommend appropriate measures for the avoidance of these remains or, where this cannot be

achieved, to recommend measures to mitigate the impact of the works

• Incorporate all the above into a report



Figure 1. Extract from Discovery Series Map # 43 showing site location highlighted in magenta

2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT

2.1 Description of the Project

The subject site is located on the County Meath side of Drogheda Town on the south bank of the River

Boyne. The site is situated north of the Dublin road and east of the Scotch Hall development in an area

known as the New South Quays (Figure 2). The proposed outfall pipe is associated with a larger mixed

use development which is currently being constructed at an adjacent site. The proposed pipe will impact

an 18m³ area of foreshore at the site of an existing outfall (Figures 2 & 3).



Figure 2. Overall development plan

Figure 3. Cross section of outfall



2.2 Site Layout/Location details

County Louth

Townland Yellowbatter

OS Sheet number 043

RMP number N/A

NGR 309472, 275173

Height +/- 10m O.D

Table 1. Location details

3 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 Solid Geology

The Geological Survey of Ireland classifies the solid geology surrounding Drogheda as consisting of

Dinantian limestone.

3.2 Soil Type

The Geological Survey of Ireland classifies the soil in the area as being made up of glacial gravels and

boulder clays.

3.3 Landscape

This section of the River Boyne is located between the Marsh Road and the North Quays to the east of

Drogheda town centre, Co. Louth. The surrounding landscape is made up of predominantly commercial

units, including the large Scotch Hall development located to the west of the subject site.

4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The following data was collected by Moore Marine. It indicated that the study area is located within a

very rich archaeological landscape.

4.1 Mesolithic Period

The Mesolithic (middle stone age) people were the first inhabitants of Ireland, arriving about 9000 years

ago. They were a mobile society relying on wild resources for food, which was hunted and gathered using

stone tools as well as boats, nets and traps. Settlement was in temporary and semi permanent groups of

huts constructed of wood slung with hide, which may have operated as seasonal or hunting camps.



The earliest evidence for man in Ireland comes from the gravel quarries at Mell, immediately north of

the town, where a Palaeolithic flint flake circa 100,000 BC was discovered. This flake may not have

originated in the area however and was most likely transported with the gravels in which it was found

from somewhere in the Irish basin. Mesolithic evidence is the form of flint objects on the coast of

Clogherhead and near the Boyne at Newgrange, Co. Meath.

4.2 Neolithic Period

Farming was first adopted in the Middle East but spread gradually across Europe in succeeding centuries,

arriving in Ireland about 4000 BC. Tending of crops and animals required a more sedentary lifestyle and

larger permanent settlements were built. The megalithic (from the Greek mega – large and lithos –

stone) monuments of the Neolithic people built as communal tombs or for ceremonial purposes, are

relatively common in the landscape. New methods were adopted for shaping stone tools and the first

long distance trade networks were established.

The arrival of farming commences an unbroken chain of settlement that has continued until the present

day in the Drogheda area. The Boyne valley was one of the most intensively utilised areas in Neolithic

times and the river would have acted as a prominent routeway. Neolithic occupation sites have been

discovered overlooking the river at Knowth and Townleyhill. However burial mounds are the key to our

understanding of the scale of the Neolithic community in the area. The great cemeteries of Newgrange,

Knowth and Dowth were constructed in the third millennium. It has been said that Millmount is a

passage tomb adapted into a motte but there is no evidence to prove this. However two polished stone

axes of Neolithic date have been found in the vicinity. As Bradley states, “while single objects such as

these do not indicate a settlement it would suggest that that site of Drogheda was known to Neolithic

man”, (Bradley, 1989). It has also been suggested that it may have been a fording point at this time.

4.3 The Bronze Age

As stone tools were replaced by the use of copper, later combined with tin to make bronze, the structure

of society also changed over centuries. While some communal megalithic monuments, particularly

wedge tombs continued to be used, the Bronze Age is characterised by a movement towards single burial

and the production of prestige items and weapons, suggesting that society was increasingly stratified

and warlike.

As stone tools were replaced by the use of copper, later combined with tin to make bronze, the

structure of society also changed over centuries. While some communal megalithic monuments,

particularly wedge tombs continued to be used, the Bronze Age is characterised by a movement

towards single burial and the production of prestige items and weapons, suggesting that society was

increasingly stratified and warlike.



Greater settlement activity is evident in the vicinity during the early Bronze Age. Beaker settlement and

activity dated to circa 2000BC and the centuries following have been discovered at Knowth, Newgrange

and Monknewtown. Over 150 ceramic urns have been found in the past century at the Hill of Rath,

including Encrusted Urns, Cordoned Urns, Pygmy cups and Food Vessels suggesting the burial site was in

use from 1800 BC to 140BC. Bronze Age cist burials are known from Oldbridge and Monasterboice.

Within the Drogheda area five bronze flat axeheads of Early Bronze Age date have been found. During

the Late Bronze Age little is known of settlement in the area, but stray finds of this period have been

discovered including a bronze socketed axehead (NMI: E92:384), a bronze sword dating to c.700BC, and

a piece of gold ring money. These finds are sufficient to show that the area in the vicinity of Drogheda

was occupied during the Bronze Age and that the site itself was frequented (Bradley, 1989).

Fulachtaí fia are common in Co. Louth and also date from the Bronze Age. These enigmatic features are

amongst the most common archaeological site in Ireland. They are often recognised as horseshoe or

oval shaped mounds which on excavation are found to consist of burnt material, ash and shattered

stone. In the centre a wooden trough will sometimes survive possible lined with clay or leather and one

or more hearths may be present in the immediate area. Fulachtaí fia are almost always found in marshy

areas or by a stream and it is thought that their location was chosen to allow the trough to be filled with

water.

4.4 The Iron Age/Early Historic Period

In late Bronze Age Ireland the use of the metal reached a high point with the production of high quality

decorated weapons, ornament and instruments, often discovered from hoards or ritual deposits. The Iron

Age however is known as a ‘dark age’ in Irish prehistory. Iron objects are found rarely, but there is no

evidence for the warrior culture of the rest of Europe, although the distinctive La Tène style of art with

animal motifs and spirals was adopted. Life in Iron Age in Ireland seems to have been much as it was in

the early historic period – mixed farmers living in or around small defended settlements known as

ringforts or stone cashels.

Evidence for settlement in the area during the Iron Age is slight by comparison with that from the

Neolithic and early Bronze Age but numbers of sub Roman objects were found at Newgrange and

Knowth. At Knowth there is also evidence of a defended settlement and a cemetery dating from the first

centuries AD. In general there is evidence to show that the vicinity of Drogheda was well explored and

settled at various periods of prehistory. There are no indications of occupation on the site of Drogheda

town during prehistoric times but it may have been a fording point across the river estuary (Bradley,

1989). Considerable evidence has been found by contrast with the prehistoric period, mostly from

settlement sites. A number of ringforts are known both north and south of the town. Souterrains are

evident at Mell. Long term settlement occupation is evident at Knowth and the large monastic sites of



Monasterboice, Duleek, Slane and Termonfeckin. From this we can depict a clear stabilisation in the

settlement pattern (Bradley, 1989). With the establishment of Mellifont in 1142 large tracts of land

between Slane and Drogheda disrupted the previous settlement landscape. The Anglo Normans arrived

and founded Drogheda in the 1170’s in an area that had undergone considerable changes in the

settlement pattern. Excavations have shown that during the Early Historic Period the area was wealthy

with stray finds within the town, such as two penannular brooches, now in the British Museum. A

double spiral headed pin, 7th-8th century in date and at least five bronze stick pins (10th – 12th century)

have been found. Most of these objects were found during dredging of the Boyne. The beginnings of

Drogheda as a town commence in the last quarter of the 12th century and it is in the period that the

townscape owes much of its form. The street pattern and boundaries were laid out and the town walls

and churches were built. Documentary sources for the history of Drogheda begin to occur and in

conjunction with the archaeological record aid the reconstruction of the town’s history and growth.



4.5 Later Historic Period

Figure 4. Extract from Ravell's map of Drogheda (1749)

Drogheda first appears in the annals in 1157. There is no evidence for any settlement here prior to the

coming of the Normans even though Viking ships were said to be docked in the river. The foundation of

Drogheda as a prosperous town lay in its strategic position astride the Boyne. It offered vital shipping

and trading routes since it is located five miles from the open sea and the Boyne is navigable for twenty

miles inland. This meant that seagoing vessels could dock in Drogheda. Such proximity to the coast,

allowed Drogheda an ideal defensive location. Since its origins Drogheda was made up of two separate

towns on opposite sides of the Boyne which also marked the border between the provinces Meath and

Ulster. Drogheda in Louth on the north bank of the river was, according to Bradley, probably in existence



before the end of the 12th century with St. Peter’s church being founded before 1186 on the north side,

and with the principle street axis established before 1215 (Bradley, 1978). The urban settlement on the

south bank of the river is much smaller, probably due to restrictions placed on house construction by

the high rising scarp. This afforded the south side of the river defensive advantages and the earliest

archaeological feature is the Millmount Motte also established here.

Drogheda became one of the most important ports in the country during the medieval period. Drogheda

also possesses one of the most extensive series of murage grants for any Irish town with at least 13

grants spanning the years between 1234 and 1424. The murage grants basically consisted of a licence to

levy a toll upon goods coming into the town and the money thus gathered at the gates was used to

construct and repair the wall. The prosperity of medieval Drogheda can be seen in these town walls and

fortifications built around the town between 1234 and 1334, enclosing an area of 113 acres.

Archaeological discoveries of the 1970’s show the original fortifications to consist of a ditch and an

earthen bank with wooden palisades on top. With a circumference of one and a half miles the walled

city of Drogheda was twice the size of medieval walled Dublin (O’ Connor, 89). The archaeological

remains of medieval Drogheda are fairly extensive and include ruins of the Hospital of St. Mary D’Urso;

the Tower of St. Magdalene on the site of the Dominican Friary; the Tholsel at the junction of West

Street and Shop Street; the Barbican of St. Laurence at the east end of the same street; the Motte at

Millmount and fragments of the town wall. Archaeological excavation has uncovered the remains of St.

Catherine’s Gate at the Mall, a 12th century stone building at the corner of Shop Street and Dyer Street,

remains of a medieval river wall, a wooden quay side on the south of Dyer Street, a wooden revetment

at the south end of Shop Street, burgage plots and stone-lined pits at John Street.

In 1228, the two divisions of the town received separate incorporation from Henry III. As a result strong

feelings of hostility between the northern and southern towns and consequently, trading vessels landed

their cargoes in the southern town, to avoid the pontage duty levied in the northern town. At length,

after much blood had been shed in the dispute, Philip Bennett, a monk residing in the town, succeeded

in persuading the authorities of the two corporations to send to Henry IV for a new charter sanctioning

their combination, and this was granted on the 1st of November 1412.



Plate 1. Painting by Van der Hagen c.1718 depicting Drogheda with its fortification

In the civil wars of 1641, Drogheda was besieged by O'Neal and the Northern Irish forces but was

successfully defended by Sir Henry Tichbourne and after a long blockade was relieved by the Marquess

of Ormond. The same nobleman relieved it a second time, when it was invested by the Parliamentary

army under Colonel Jones. In 1649 it was captured by Cromwell after a short defence. The days

following Cromwell’s siege were one of Drogheda’s darkest, when 2000 of the defenders were

butchered. Only thirty escaped, who were afterwards transported as slaves to Barbados. In 1690 the

town was garrisoned by King James's army; but after the decisive battle of the Boyne it surrendered to

the conqueror William of Orange without a struggle. Although it is clear that suburbs existed on the

north and east sides of the town during the 14th century it is not known if these continued as occupied

areas into the 15th and 16th centuries or were deserted.

4.6 Post Medieval Drogheda

The town does not seem to have expanded outside the town walls until the 17th century when the

dock’s area east of St. Lawrence’s Gate would appear to have been reclaimed. Neither the plans of

Goche and Newcomen nor the views of Place depict suburbs and it is not until the 18th century that

these suburbs reappear. Excavations at Shop St on the northern side of the river, demonstrated that

deposits survive to a depth of over 3 metres. Bradley suggests that deposits survive better in low ground

near the river rather than on the sloping ground (Bradley, 1989). It was not until the 20th century and



the construction of modern housing estates that the suburban areas outside of the historic core began

to be built up.

Drogheda town was an industrial centre and the home of specialist craftsmen. The quay in front of St.

Saviour’s Church, immediately west of the bridge on the north side of the Boyne is first referred to in

1218. In 1306 the burgesses petitioned the King for permission to build a quay outside the precinct of

the Franciscan Friary on the east side of the bridge. In 1340 the burgesses received a grant of quayage

which was to be expended on repairing the quays and towers of the town wall (Bradley, 1989). In 1981,

a number of timbers were salvaged from the quayside on the south side of the Boyne, once part of a

front braced vertical waterfront, a type characteristic of North West Europe. Dendrochronological

dating gave a 1200 AD date, providing evidence for the town’s earliest quayside.

Plate 2. Dugout boat under excavation discovered on a river bank site on Marsh Road

The Patent Rolls record King Edward’s orders for two galleys to be built in Drogheda during the 13th

century. Taxes imposed on ship building materials in a murage grant suggests that the industry was in

operation on the south side in 1296, “large boards, masts, rigging ropes and canvas for ships were

subject to tax” (Mc Evoy, 27; O’ Connor, 90). Bradley also states the location of boat yards on the south

side of the town is supported with archaeological evidence (Bradley in O’ Connor, 90). An early 14th

century poem also indicates that Drogheda was also a centre for rope-making and shipbuilding,

(Bradley, 1978). At the close of the 13th century the royal armies of Scotland, Wales and Gascony were

supplied with wheat, oats, flour and victuals from Drogheda. Animals, corn, hides, wool and fish were

also exported during the 13th – 15th centuries. Drogheda was the centre of a sizeable Irish trade also,

(O’ Connor, 90). The murage grants indicate that oxen, horses, sheep, pigs, wheat, rye, barley, oats,

butter, cheese, apples, salmon, eels and seafish were marketed in the town. Throughout the medieval

period Drogheda was an important port, utilising its estuarine location to full potential. According to the

customs returns of 1276-1333, it was the fourth largest port in Ireland, handling a greater trade than



Dublin, Galway or Limerick. Cloth was manufactured in Dyer St., leather working, skinners and butchers

are attested in the 13th – 14th centuries.

Figure 5. Overseas trade of Drogheda 13th-15th centuries

The navigation of the Boyne between Drogheda and the sea began in 1761 by Thomas Omer and this led

to the issue of stock by the Boyne Navigation Company in 1789 of a canal upriver to Navan. An iron

foundry and breweries were soon founded on the South Quays. The textile industry was by far the most

important industry in the town between 1780 and 1820. It was the leading factor in the growth in size

and wealth of Drogheda in the late eighteenth century. Industrialisation in the early 19th century drew

Drogheda ever more firmly into the wider economy. A gas works was set up as early as 1832 and the

Drogheda-Dublin railway connected the town to the capital in 1844. A large pool of skilled labour,

especially weavers, became available. Archaeological evidence of the textile manufacturing is scarce,

however Bradley suggests that “the water logged soils adjoining the River Boyne contains organic

deposits which will yield an answer to questions such as this” (Bradley, 1989). By the 1850's five linen

mills were in operation and local entrepreneurs had developed larger and more efficient units of

production in numerous small industries, such as shoe making, milling, brewing and distilling. The



foundry and engineering works of Thomas Grendon and Son, the Drogheda Chemical Manures Co,

Frederick Smyth's shipyard, McCann and Hill's flour mills and the Drogheda Oatmeal Company were all

important sources of employment. It was during this time, 1851-1855, that the Dublin – Drogheda

railway line was built including the viaduct spanning the Boyne.

Along the Marsh Road mudflats fringed the river, hence it was shallower and wider that at present.

Today the mudflats or slob-lands are still evident at Queensboro and Baltray and bordering the

Mornington Road. The quays were constructed along the shoreline to confine the course of the river

into a much narrower and deeper channel, scouring it and facilitating the passage of ships to their

berths at the quayside. The southern shore was reclaimed to provide additional quayside facilities and

accommodation for housing and industrial use. This was a gradual process, accomplished over the

centuries. Along this river bank the first edition Ordnance Survey map shows that the riverside was lined

with mud-flats in 1835. People traversing the roadway that runs parallel to the south bank of the river

seemingly had difficulty picking their way along the swampy terrain, and hence named it the ‘Marsh

Road’.

Plate 3. St. Mary’s Mill

These mud flats were filled in after 1835 and Lewis’s Topographical Dictionary in 1837 states that a ‘very

extensive mill for spinning flax has recently been erected by the company of proprietors”. The recovered

ground space on the south bank has been utilised over the years to accommodate a wide variety of

industrial enterprises from ship building, a foundry, a gas works, chemical manures, edible and technical



oils, brewing, and linen processing and also to printing, footwear and margarine manufacturing. These

large mills provided employment to almost 2,000 workers when Drogheda was at the forefront of the

Linen Industry. St. Mary’s Mills was located at the subject site. The area was once one of the most

important industrial districts of the town.

The Marsh Road area has been an important location for the importing and exporting of goods from

medieval times to the 20th century. A number of interesting buildings and industries have made an

enormous impact on the history of the South Quays. A coasting steamer service was established along

the east coast of Ireland in 1905 and on arrival the ships docked at the Foundry Wharf adjacent to the

South Quay. At this point varied cargo was off loaded for the local merchants and factories in the

vicinity. This service was withdrawn in August 1907 despite requests from the Drogheda Chemical

Manure Company to continue the service, (Mc Evoy, 42). Grendon’s Foundry and Engineering Works

was established in 1835 at the South Quay. According to the Irish Times in 1921, ‘In 1845 when the first

locomotive was built, the Drogheda Foundry was one of the most famous of its kind in the Three

Kingdoms, employing between 600 and 700 workers turning out ships, locomotives, weighing machines

and all classes of ironworks’. The facility was also used for repairing ships. Greene notes that the lane

which led from James’s St to the shipyard was called Graves Lane. Some sources say that the street was

named after a former inhabitant, Mr. Graves, however graving is a nautical term which describes the

cleaning of a ship’s hull and the application of a pitch coating, (Greene, 193). There was also a graving

slip at Ship St, east of the subject site for repairing barges.

In the 19th century, due to a cholera and typhoid epidemics a separate fever hospital was located on the

Marsh Road as a temporary expedient. It was reported on 16th October 1847 that ‘Disease is on the

increase, with 170 patients in the Marsh Fever Hospital and there is no more room for applicants’.

Domestic dwellings are also an important element of the cultural heritage of the Marsh Road. An area of

the riverbank remained untouched allowing access to the primeval shore until recent times, housewives

living on the Marsh Road and Scotch Hall (the original Scotch Hall which comprised a series of abject

tenements) would pick their way across the muddy foreshore with their baskets of clothes for

laundering at the riverside, the flowing tide of the Boyne continued to be their only ‘running water’.

Along with tenements, houses were constructed on Ship St. to accommodate industrial workers. The

south riverbank was later a recreational area.



Plate 4. Photograph depicting late 19th century riverbank downstream of development site

4.7 Marsh Road : 20th Century

By 1930 the industry collapsed. St. Mary’s Mills located west of the subject site on the Marsh Road was

subsequently used to produce edible oils. Drogheda was a strategically important town during “the

Emergency”. Precautions were taken to safeguard the town in the event of an invasion. This included

the removal of Drogheda from the title names of factories and businesses such as the Drogheda Gas

Works and the Drogheda Chemical Manures Company. After the war Drogheda was in a better position

than many other towns as it was more industrialised. However, factories such as the Irish Oil and Cake

Mills and the Cairnes Brewery failed to fully absorb the available workforce and a combination of

rationalisation and external competition saw the gradual demise of each of these industries. In contrast

to the north quays, the South Quays remained unscathed from the re-developments undertaken during

the 1970’s and 80’s. In later times the area hosts much smaller self contained companies concentrated

in industrial units situated in the former Oil and Cake Mills facility. Today many of its factories lie empty

and have fallen into a state of decay. Scotch Hall, a 257,000 sq. ft retail centre was constructed in 2005

on a plot of land bordered by the Dublin Road, South Quay and New South Quay.

4.8 Site Specific Background

4.8.1 South Quays, Drogheda

In the earliest references the town of Drogheda is called Inver Colpa or the Port of Colpa; the present

name signifies "The Bridge over the Ford." Between 1150 and 1210 the name was used in five contexts.

Firstly, it is evident from the annalistic entry of 1157 that Drochat Atha was a name applied to a large

area rather than to a single feature such as a bridge of a ford. Secondly it is used as a synonym for



Mellifont Abbey. Thirdly, it is the name of one of the granges which formed part of the initial lands of

the abbey. Finally it is an area in which a church dedicated to St. Mary stands, and lastly there is the

novus pons de Drogheda, clearly the site of the present town (Mc Evoy, 8). The south bank is steeply

scarped and rises to a height of just over 30m. This contrast in land formation has influences the

development of the town both during the Middle Ages and in more recent times: the north bank offered

space for expansion whereas settlement on the south bank was huddled together on the slope below

the Millmount. The swampy terrain of the south bank of the River Boyne at Drogheda lent its name to

the area surrounding the subject site, the ‘Marsh Road’. The recession years of the early eighties forced

the majority of the long established companies to close down. W & C Mc Donnells was one of the few to

fall victim to this decline. The company was synonymous with Drogheda for over 50 years and was a

familiar landmark on the southern approach to the town. It employed over 300 people at its height, (Mc

Evoy, 146). Abandoned structures of the abandoned Drogheda Chemical Manure Factory still stand to

the east of the site.



5 BASELINE DATA

5.1 Register of Monuments and Places

The RMP is a database recording all archaeological sites in Ireland known to the National Monuments

Service established under Section 12 of the 1994 National Monuments (Amendment) Act. It is based on

Ordnance Survey 6” sheets, which indicate the location of each monument or place of archaeological

interest. For each, a file contains further documentary and photographic data or information relating to

an archaeological event such as a site visit, survey or excavation. These are housed in the National

Monuments Services in Dublin. The record is constantly updated and focuses on monuments that pre-

date 1700.

Figure 6. Extract from RMP Maps (LH:024) with site location highlighted in magenta



Figure 7. Extract from RMP Maps [online], RMP sites are highlighted in red and the site location in magenta



The Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) for County Meath (Figures 5 & 6) indicates that the subject

site is located within 0.5km of the historic town of Drogheda and a large number of other RMP sites.

These are:

RMP No.: LH2441

Townland: Moneymore

Classification: Graveyard

Description: St.Peters’s church was built in 1753. The organ was erected in 1771.

Source Dayton, John. History of Drogheda. (1844)

RMP No.: LH2441

Townland: Moneymore

Classification: Site of town gate

Description: It appears from the drawings of both Place (1668) and Ricciardelli (c.1770), to

have been a twin bastioned structure, similar to the barbican of St.

Laurences’s Gate and it may be that the gate itself was located within it. A

turret adjoining it on the town wall referred to in 1668. It is last shown on

Taylor & Skinner’s map of 1778, but it had been demolished by 1808.

Source Urban Survey

RMP No.: LH2441

Townland: Moneymore

Classification: Franciscian Friary

Description: Barron Plunkett of Louth founded the ancient church and monastery of St.

Francis in 1240. The present church and convent were built on nearly the

same site early in this century (19thc.), since then various additions have

been made-a new wing and bell tower. The convent in line with the rest of

the houses in Laurence St. is occupied by the Guardian, an ex guardian, two

priests and lay mother.

Source G. H. Bassett, County Louth Guide and Directory (1886-99).

Situated near St. Sunday’s Gate close to the Dominican Friary, of plate of

Dominican Friary, facing F 120, which shows lateral portion of the nave.

Source Dalton, John. History of Drogheda 1 (1844).

RMP No.: LH2441



Townland: Moneymore

Classification: Friary

Description: Magdalene Tower is all that remains of the Dominican Abbey founded in 1224

by Lucas De Netterville. The remains of the founder and many others were

buried beneath the tower down to the year 1500. The tower, very high,

narrow, was obviously built within the walls of the church. It is borne on two

massive piers, shaped on east west, by high as narrow pointed arches of red

sandstone in three orders, chamfered and ‘dying’ into the wall faces. The

stone flashing course of the roof of the church is in situ on the east and west

of the narrow tower-square in plan, with square stairs turret projecting at the

south east angle.

Source Bassett, G.H. Louth County Guide and Directory (1886-79)

Coursework evident under the belfry windows. The projecting parapet walls

were apparently crenulated. The belfry windows east, west and south are of

the lights, with a transom arc recessed in a casement. Modern work is

obvious in the south west quoin of tier. This was described by archaeologist

Etienne Rynne in 1959, “In July 1960, during construction work about 20

yards east of school beside the tower an extended skeleton was discovered,

east west. It was reported at this time that further burials had been found

when the school itself was being built, would suggest that the monastic

graveyard was situated in this area”.

RMP No.: LH2439

Townland: Bryanstown

Classification: Mount

Description: The writer quotes from the ordinance survey letters of 1835-6, ‘’Cromwell’s

Mount’’, to the south of the Boyne within a few perches to the rear of where

the town wall is said to have been, is levelled almost with ground and under

cultivation as well as the field. There is the motte from which Cromwell made

the breach on Mary Magdalene’s Steeple. The Bevrack mount is situated

about 400 yards east of St. Patrick’s Well. Recently levelled by a farmer, it was

from here that Cromwell battered St. Mary’s and the town. The earthwork,

known as Cromwell’s Mount was levelled a short time prior to 1844.

Cromwell is believed to have made his successful attack on the town from it,

all that now remains is a slight hillock of natural appearance.

RMP No.: LH2430



Townland: Yellowbatter

Classification: Ecclesiastical remains

Description: The class for this RMP number has been changed to non monument as

ecclesiastical remains is a term no longer used by ASI 11/7106.

RMP No.: LH2441

Townland: Moneymore

Classification: Town

Description: At the time of the sieges of Drogheda in 1641 and 1649, defensive ramparts

were thrown up outside the gates-‘Blac’s Rampier’ on the neath side, the

rampier without Dulleek gate in the same quarter. Three were thrown up

from St. Mary’s church to Duleek gate, three from the east end of the church

to the town wall. Traces of more modern military works are discernible as

several of the stations which were occupied by Cromwell.

RMP No.: LH2439

Townland: Lagavooren/Moneymore

Classification: Holywell

Description: St. Patrick’s Well was within the precincts of the Augustinian Friary and has

long since been closed, its site obliterated.

Source G. H. Bassett, County Louth Guide and Directory (1886-99).

Excerpt from The Urban Survey of Drogheda.

Royal commands to construct galleys during the 13th century suggest that

ships were built and the murage grant of 1296 to Drogheda in Meath,

specifically mentions large boards, masts, rigging ropes and canvas for ships,

perhaps indicating that the building yards were on the south side (Bradley

1978). Ireland’s first major railway, the Dublin –Drogheda line was established

in 1844 and magnificent viaduct spanning the Boyne was constructed in 1851-

55. It may be guessed, that the present north quay, mall and south quay have

functioned as quays from the time of the towns foundations in the late 12th

century. The quay in front of St. Saviour’s church immediate west of the

bridge on the north side of the Boyne is first referred to in 1218 (Brooks 1953

p101). It may well have been the private quay of the Llanthony Canons who

managed St. Saviour’s. In 1306 the Burgesses portioned the king for

permission to build a quay outside the precinct of Franciscan Friary on the

east side of the bridge (Fitzmaurice & Little 1920, p84, 85). This was built in

association with a tower, most likely St. Catherine’s Gate and may be the



projection into the Boyne, shown on Newcomben’s map at the east end of

town. In 1340 the Burgesses received a grant of quayage which was to be

expanded on repairing the quays and towers of the town wall (cal. pat. Rolls

1338-49, p544). This latter grant would suggest that at least some of the

quayside was built with stone.

5.2 Topographical Files of the National Museum of Ireland

The topographical survey records the following results for the study area:

Townland: John Street

Parish: Drogheda

Reg Number: 1977:1260

Find: Bone Pin, iron horse shoe, 13 iron nails, 58 floor & roof tiles, 760 pottery sherds

(medieval), 5 pottery sherds (post medieval).

Method of Acquisition: A gift of Mr. Kieran Campbell, Laytown, Co. Meath

Townland: Drogheda

Reg Number: 1951:11,12

Find: Upper leather of shoe and sole

Method of Acquisition: Purchased Mr. Michael O’Leary, 27 North Strand, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Description: Shoe found at north quay, dates to c.1820, is a portion of 2 shoes.

Townland: John Street

Parish: Drogheda

Reg Number: 1979:93

Find: 17 potsherds (medieval), iron nail fragments x 2.

Method of Acquisition: Gift of Mr. Gabriel Cooney , Department of Archaeology, U. C. D.

Townland: James Street

Parish: Drogheda

Reg Number: E249:1

Find: Medieval hospital site

Method of Acquisition: Excavation Kieran Campbell, 6 St. Ultan’s, Laytown, Co. Meath

Description: Large stone medieval building was partially excavated in 1982-3, when 3 walls were

recorded running parallel in north south direction. It contained 2 rooms each lit by three windows.

Medieval square vault, demolished in 1982. 2 sherds of local medieval pottery, dated 13 th century -

early 14th century.



Townland: Drogheda

Reg Number: 1989:76

Find: Medieval tile (clay).

Method of Acquisition: Acquired from Victor M Buckley, Duchas, OPW, 51 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2.

5.3 Previous archaeological fieldwork in the area

A search of the Excavations Bulletin (1970-2005) has revealed that several previous archaeological

programs have been carried out in the immediate vicinity of the area surrounding the proposed

development at New South Quays, Co. Meath from 1970-2005. They are:

04E1605 Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.

2005:1061 2-5 South Quay, Drogheda

Medieval/post-medieval

Two phases of testing were carried out on the site of a proposed commercial development on 17–20

January and on 23–25 February 2005. The proposed development relates to the construction of a

restaurant, retail units, offices, apartments and a carpark. Six trenches were excavated in total, three

within the carpark, one within Building Number 5 and two within Building Number 4.

Trench 1 was located within Building Number 5. It revealed a number of archaeological features,

including two walls that cut through a medieval deposit. The walls were composed of stone and mortar

and both were orientated east–west. Sherds of Saintonge medieval pottery were retrieved from the

deposit.

Two trenches were excavated within Building Number 4. Trench 2 was north–south orientated. It

contained a number of medieval deposits and a stone alignment that emerged from the southern extent

of the western baulk of the trench. Finds from these features included body sherds of glazed medieval

pottery.

Trench 3 was east–west orientated and was excavated to the west of Trench 2. It contained four

deposits and three walls. Finds from the deposits included sherds of medieval pottery. One of the walls

was orientated north-east/south-west, while the other two were north–south orientated. They were

composed of stone and mortar.

Trench 4 was excavated within the carpark located to the east of Building Number 5. It revealed six

walls, all north–south orientated, including a very substantial limestone wall constructed of dressed

stones and mortar along both faces with an internal fill of smaller, more rounded stones. This wall



measured 1.2m in width. Two of the stone walls exposed within the trench appeared to be associated

and enclosed a clay floor.

Trench 5 was located at the western extent of the site and was north-west/south-east orientated. It

revealed two stone and mortar east–west orientated walls and a number of deposits that contained

medieval pottery.

Trench 6 was excavated parallel to Trench 4. An extremely compacted stone assemblage was

encountered within the central portion of this trench. This feature measured 2.2m in width and was

located 0.4m below ground level. Without exposing a larger portion of this feature it is not possible to

be certain of its function, but it appears to represent a large wall. A brick floor was exposed protruding

from the southern baulk of the trench.

04E1605 Stephen J. Linnane, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.

2005:1062 2–5 South Quay, Drogheda

Urban medieval and post-medieval

An assessment of the site using test-trenches was undertaken in January 2005 by Tara O’Neill (see No.

1061 above). This assessment identified walls and deposits of possible medieval date. Further works

were recommended. Excavation was undertaken under an extension to the licence, transferred to

Stephen J. Linnane. The work took place between 8 March and 1 April 2005. The site was stripped of

modern overburden using a tracked excavator equipped with a toothless grading bucket. The stripping

ceased at the top of archaeological deposits or at a height of c. 2.9m above OD, below which

archaeological deposits will be preserved in situ. The site was found to consist of six building plots of

varying width, divided from each other by substantial limestone walls. At least one plot had been heavily

involved in iron smelting. Deposits surviving between the walls were of medieval origin and were mostly

preserved in situ, but test-pits were excavated in each plot in order to determine the depth and nature

of the surviving deposits.

Archaeological deposits were found to survive to a depth of c. 1.2m below the 2.9m horizon. A stone-

lined hearth and a timber tanning pit were recognised within the test-pits. The pottery finds would

suggest a 14th-century date for these deposits and features. Later medieval and early post-medieval

features were probably removed when the 18th-century boundary walls were established.

03E0688 Thaddeus C. Breen, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd

2004:1090 Scotch Hall, Lagavooren, Drogheda

Urban medieval, post-medieval



Work on this excavation, funded by Meath County Council, prior to a retail, hotel and residential

development, continued into 2004 but was now largely confined to monitoring the digging of pile-cap

pits (see Excavations 2003, No. 1239, for the earlier work). A layer of black organic material up to 1m

thick extended over much of the area within the town wall. This contained pottery of 13th-century type,

along with leather and textile fragments. There were no structural remains within it, and it appeared to

be dumped material. Two groups of small wooden piles were excavated. They had probably been

supports for a stone wall of uncertain date, of which no trace remained. Parts of four stone walls were

excavated: the south-east corner of the mediaeval riverside house excavated the previous year, part of

the pre19th-century quay wall, a substantial foundation wall on the west side of Graves' Lane

perpendicular to the line of the wall, the gable wall of the outbuildings backing onto Marsh Road, and

the town wall. The portion of the town wall excavated was the last remaining unexcavated part, which

had not been accessible in 1993. Most of it had been destroyed during the construction of the grain silos

in the 1970s and only a thin layer of rubble foundation remained.

03E0688 Thaddeus C. Breen, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

2005:1060 Scotch Hall, Lagavooren, Drogheda

A small amount of additional monitoring took place at this site this year, when service trenches were

being dug (see Excavations 2003, No. 1239, for earlier work on this site). One trench ran parallel to the

riverbank and then turned southwards to meet the Marsh Road. This mostly cut through disturbed

layers with demolition rubble, probably of 19th–20th-century date, but three stone walls were

encountered. Further stone walls were found in a trench which followed the line of James’s Street to the

Bull Ring junction. These ran at right angles to the line of the road. Here, grey silt with medieval pottery

was found at c. 1.5m depth. At the Bull Ring itself, nothing of archaeological significance was found; the

fill was very recent.

03D037; 03R052 David A. McCullough, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd

2003:1240, River Boyne, Lakelands/Scotch Hall, Drogheda

Riverbed deposits and quayside features

“An underwater, intertidal archaeological and metal-detector survey of the South Quay at the former

Lakelands Dairies and Scotch Hall sites in Drogheda, Co. Louth, made a detailed record of the quay wall

and associated areas of riverbed as part of the archaeological requirement for the enabling works

associated with the development of this site. The landside was resolved under the direction of Thaddeus

Breen (No. 1239 above) as a joint venture between ADCO and V.J. Keeley Ltd.



The riverbed has been subject to dumping from both the quayside and from the vessels using this area

over time and is covered with modern debris. Continuous metal-detector readings were encountered

throughout the surveyed area, and, while most of the targets identified were of modern date, several

archaeological items were recovered as stray finds. These objects were concentrated on the riverside of

a medieval waterfront building on South Quay discovered by Niall Brady in a previous assessment

(Excavations 2001, No. 848, 01D077), at the upstream end of the works area. The survey identified the

extension of the medieval town wall to the modern waterfront and concluded that the larger area of

present-day riverfront is not ancient, and dates mainly from the 19th century.”

03D0037 ext. Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd.

2004:1091 South Quay, Drogheda

Assessment

As part of the Lakelands development scheme, a follow-up archaeological impact assessment was

undertaken of a 2.5m section of quay walling that became undermined following high tides in

November 2004. The inspection area was at the location of a narrow section of the medieval town wall

identified as an individual structure within the matrix of the present quayside. This section of medieval

wall was located during previous assessment/recording of the quayside (Excavations 2003, No. 1240,

03D037, 03R052) undertaken by David McCullough between May and June 2003. The structure was

found to have suffered large-scale collapse following river flooding and building works associated with

the development. Assessment was undertaken on 6 December 2004.

01D077 Niall Brady, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd.

2001:848 South Quay, Drogheda

Medieval warehouse and quay wall

Intertidal survey in advance of the proposed Lakelands/Marsh Road Development Schemes, Drogheda,

Co. Louth, indicated that the development area retains two sites of interest: a medieval riverfront

warehouse (previously unrecorded), and a long area of existing quay walls on South Quay, Lagavoreen.

00E0629 Richard O’Brien, ADS Ltd

2000:0660 Lagavooren, Drogheda



Pits and burial

Monitoring of drainage works in Lagavooren townland uncovered traces of archaeological deposits. A

rescue excavation was carried out from 1 to 2 August 2000, and two subsoil-cut pits with an associated

metalled surface were found. No in situ finds or dating evidence were recovered from the pits.

However, a barbed and tanged arrowhead and a sherd of blackware were found on the surface beside

the pits. In the same townland, but not associated with the pits, a number of disarticulated human

bones were found. These bones represented the remains of a female in her twenties. The lack of

associated finds precluded a date for the bones. It is hoped that an AMS date on the bones will shed

some light on their origin.

00E0729 Billy Quinn, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd.

2000:0661 Marsh Road/South Quays, Drogheda

Urban medieval

Testing took place of a proposed development on the site of the properties currently occupied by

Lakeland Dairies and McGowan’s Engineering on the South Quay/Marsh Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth. The

site contains a section of the medieval town wall.

Pre-development testing as agreed with Dúchas The Heritage Service consisted of the mechanical

excavation of eight trenches, three on the McGowan’s site and five in the Lakeland Dairies site. The

trenches were dug by a 12-tonne Hymac Excavator with a toothed bucket (owing to ground conditions a

grading bucket was unsuitable).

The trial-trenches demonstrated the presence of an upper rubble layer overlying deposits containing

medieval finds throughout the site. More specifically, the testing programme was able to confirm the

line of the medieval town wall that would have extended north from St James’s Gate to the river’s edge.

In terms of composition, the upper deposits varied considerably from trench to trench, though they all

generally consisted of redeposited material dating from the modern to the post-medieval period (red

brick, metal fragments, modern pottery). These disturbed fills represent the industrial and commercial

development of the site’s history, as well as the structural changes (extensions and demolitions) that the

site has undergone.

The lower deposits (c. 1m below the surface level) had an inconsistent profile; however, testing did

produce externally green-glazed pottery of medieval aspect and fragments of worked leather. Other

than the town wall, no features contemporary with the lower fills were in evidence.



5.4 Place-name evidence

Lagavoreen comes from the Irish Lag an Mhúirín which means ‘a hollow or muddy place’ or a ‘hollow of

manure or mud’. This placename is recorded on the 1778 Map of Liberties of Drogheda. While the exact

source of the name is not recorded it almost certainly is reflective of the the poor condition of the

ground in the area. This is further reflected in the name of the nearby Bhóthar an Mhéirse or ‘Marsh

Road’. A term or description reflecting the state of the ground is a common occurrence in Irish

placenames.

5.5 Aerial photographs

This aerial image of the subject site shows the area to the southwest and northeast as a quay side

location in a heavily developed urban environment. It does not show any topographical or submarine

anomalies which may be indicative of the presence of previously unrecorded archaeological features or

deposits.

Plate 5. Aerial image of New South Quays with survey area highlighted in magenta

5.6 Record of Protected Structures

The Meath County Development Plan (2003-2013) records a number of structures in Drogheda as being

Recorded Protected Structures (RPS) None of these are in the vicinity of the proposed development.



5.7 Ports and Harbours Archive

Site Name: Drogheda

1795-1890 Drogheda Custom House

Drawing

OPW Custom House (Drawings)

No. of Items 6

Ref.No.: OPW5HC/4, 755

Item No: 13

1869 ‘Dredging of River Boyne opposite Merchant Quay’

Ref 1391- Board of Trade, Black Series Navigation’

1870 ‘Plan showing width, and width required at Merchant’s Quay

to allow steamboats to turn and position of new width all for

Grendon & Co. opp Merchant’s Quay.

Ref.1656 Board of Trade, Black Series, Navigation

5.8 National Shipwreck Inventory

The National Shipwreck Inventory has the following records of vessels having foundered in the River

Boyne at Drogheda:

Name of Vessel: Endeavour

Date of Loss: 06/01/1839

Place of Loss: Pier Head, Drogheda

Description: Sloop sank laden with coal, owned by Henry Smith, Captain was Quigley. Captain and

captain’s brother drowned. Passing steamer rescued one crew member.

Mc Donagh 1990, 5 - 12

Name of Vessel: Ethiopian


Place of Loss: River Boyne

Description: 137 ton schooner, ran down and sunk by steamer Holme Force

LL 17,953, 18 March 1895; LL 17, 956, 21st March 1895



Name of Vessel: Fame


Place of Loss: Drogheda

Description: 72 ton, 6 year old vessel classed E1 by Lloyd’s. Vessel was wrecked.

PP 1836, LVII, 346

Name of Vessel: Sarah and Eliza


Place of Loss: River Boyne, Drogheda

Description: En route from New Brunswick. Captain was Mortimer. Went ashore , cargo was

discharged.

LL 5, 532, 10th October 1820

Name of Vessel: Union


Place of Loss: River Boyne

Description: Of Drogheda, master was Mulholland. Went aground, strained, filled with water.

LL 8, 129, 27 March 1840

Name of Vessel: Unknown

Date of Loss: March 1870

Place of Loss: Boyne

Description: Stranded schooner refused assistance from Drogheda lifeboat. Unclear if vessel became a

wreck.

de Courcy Ireland 1983, 86



5.9 Cartographic Sources

The following maps were consulted with reference to investigation for the presence of archaeological

material in the subject area.

5.9.1 1st Edition Ordnance Survey

Figure 8. Extract from First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, surveyed Jan 1836

This map depicts the subject site as an area of intertidal mudflat bounded to the south by landscaped

gardens and to the north by the River Boyne. This map does not indicate the presence of any features

of archaeological significance on the subject site.



5.9.2 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey

Figure 9. Extract from 2nd Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1909

This map shows development as having taken place on the subject site. It records St. Mary’s Mill as

having been constructed on the site. The northern portion of this mill was constructed directly onto the

previously depicted intertidal shore. The map does not record any berthing or associated riverine

facilities related to the Mills. Equally, the map does not indicate the presence of any features of

archaeological significance on the subject site.



6 UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

6.1 Field Survey Methodology and Strategy

The Underwater Survey was divided into two component parts; the first being the visual survey. It

visually inspected the development site for upstanding and slightly submerged archaeological material.

Any found would be recorded and photographed. The visual survey would also record the condition and

state of the submerged features.

The second component was a metal detector survey. It was designed to record the location of any

ferrous and non-ferrous metals at the proposed outfall site. All metal detector contacts were recorded

and geo-referenced through the use of a Trimble Geoexplorer GPS. This allowed for the generation of

contact distribution patterns and facilitated subsequent relocation.

For the underwater and intertidal surveys, a gridded transect investigation scheme was the proposed

plan to be employed. It was be based on parallel north – south orientated transects across the subsea

area of the proposed development. The survey was based on 12 no. 20m long and 5m wide parallel

passages. It envisaged that use of this technique would ensure 100% coverage of the survey area, which

encompasses 30m either side of the centreline of the outfall.

The survey commenced upstream of the survey area and progressed easterly, taking advantage of the

current direction.

6.2 Site Conditions

The assessment took place on 9th September 2009 under Dive Licence 09D67, 09R173. Water flow at

the time of the survey was moderate with very poor visibility. The maximum recorded water depth was

4.1m.

6.3 Site Survey

The subject site comprised an area of intertidal and sub tidal terrain situated around the end of a stone

waterfront revetment on the southern side of the River Boyne in Drogheda town centre.

As previously stated, the survey commenced in the western end of the site and progressed easterly. It

recorded that the subject site was directly fronted by a high stone riverine revetment wall. This wall

was originally of squared random construction but had later additions (see plate 6). The wall had a

southern return immediately to the east of the outfall location, where it bounded a large masonry dump

site and intertidal mudflat (see plate 7). It was almost entirely covered with kelp throughout the tidal



range and the only evidence of any riverine related influence on the area were three, wall mounted,

mooring rings noted to the west of the outfall location.

Immediately beneath the riverfront wall was a narrow stony muddy intertidal shore. This shoreline

measured 4 – 4.5m in width and was comprised of sandy intertidal mud, angular stones, assorted

modern debris and kelp (see plates 6-19). The overlying debris took various forms, metal hoop bands,

bolted metal plates, reinforcing bar and angle brackets. Cartographic sources indicated that prior to the

construction of St. Mary’s Mills in the late 19th century; this was a large intertidal mudflat.

Consequently, it must be assumed that this overlying debris is modern in origin.

At the outfall location and the area to the west, the gradient of the intertidal shore was low. It sloped

gradually from the stony wall base to the soft muddy lower foreshore and then onto the submarine

zone. Immediately to the east of the outfall, at the location of the previously described masonry dump

site, the stone dump on the foreshore descended directly to the submarine zone, with no muddy

foreshore visible.

The underwater zone throughout the survey area had a uniform profile which sloped gradually from the

tidal interface. The upper 8m of the underwater zone was comprised exclusively of soft featureless

sandy mud. This riverbed form was consistent throughout the entire survey area, with the exception of

a small section surrounding the masonry dump, where it extended 0.4m into the underwater zone.

Outside this the riverbed form was similar to that surrounding it.

The riverbed form changed gradually as it moved deeper and closer to the centre of the river. The soft

mobile muds of the riverbank gave way to a heavier sandy clay and gravel. Visibility in this area was

very poor and the diver had to rely exclusively on a hand held torch for visibility. A considerable

quantity of material was noted on the riverbed, in the riverbed and in transport by the current. The

range of material varied significantly from broken china pottery to red brick fragments, to modern tile

fragments to tree branches, shopping trolleys, hessian sacks, co-axial cable and animal bones. The

material was spread randomly throughout the survey area, with obvious accumulations at the site of

obstructions. No material of archaeological significance was noted.



Plate 6. River revetment wall



Plate 7. Masonry dump area to the east of outfall location

Plate 8. View of intertidal shore at outfall location, looking west



Plate 9. View of survey area looking west

Plate 10. Metals noted on foreshore



Plate 11. Metal hoop noted on foreshore

Plate 12. Stony foreshore



Plate 13. More foreshore metals

Plate 14. Diver survey in progress



6.4 Results

Drogheda has a rich archaeological and historical heritage and desktop analysis of the historical and

archaeological background to the site recorded that there were several RMP sites in the vicinity of the

site, though none in the immediate vicinity of the site. Desktop analysis also recorded that prior to the

construction of St. Mary’s Mills, this site had been an intertidal mud flat bounded to the south by

landscaped gardens. The survey recorded that whilst there was a considerable amount of metallic and

masonry debris noted on the foreshore, none of this appeared to be archaeological. In addition, a

considerable amount of material was noted in the underwater zone. The range of material in this area

varied hugely and although all the visible and detectable material was modern, there was potential for

this area to contain buried archaeological artefacts.

Neither the visual survey nor the metal detection survey recorded the presence of any archaeological

materials, deposits or features in the assessment area.

7 DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

7.1 Discussion

7.1.1 The Development Area

The New South Quays are located on the southern side of the River Boyne in the town of Drogheda. The

town has a long history of a port town and the site in question would have been used as a quayside

since medieval times. The proposed pipe will impact an 18 m³ area of foreshore at the site of an existing

outfall.

7.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts

Direct Impacts

The underwater survey recorded that the subject site recorded that no archaeological finds, materials or

features were noted during the survey. Notwithstanding this there is potential for the site to contain

stray archaeological finds. As a result if the project were to impact previously unrecorded

archaeological material it would have a permanent, long term and negative impact on these resources.

‘Do nothing’ impact

If the proposed development were not to proceed there would be no negative impact on the

archaeological or cultural heritage resource.



‘Worst case’ impact

Under a worst-case scenario, by way of its form and function, the construction of an outfall at this point

will have a permanent and negative impact on any previously undiscovered archaeological material

which may be contained within the area.

7.3 Recommendations

Although the subject site is located in an area that was an intertidal mud flat up until the late 19th

century, its location in the centre of Drogheda, the obvious archaeological potential of the River Boyne

and the preponderance of material noted during the underwater survey mean that there is potential for

the project to impact previously un-recorded archaeological deposits or features. Based on this

assessment, it is recommended that:

3. All invasive groundworks associated with the outfall construction be monitored by an

archaeologist.

4. If possible, all excavated material should be metal detected for the presence of previously

unrecorded archaeological artefacts.

Please note that all recommendations above are subject to approval by the Planning and Heritage

Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Please note that this report and accompanying recommendations are based on maps provided at the

time of writing. Should changes be made, further assessment may be necessary.



APPENDIX 1 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bennet, I. (Ed.). (2000). Excavations 1998. Dublin.

Bennet, I. (Ed.). (2000). Excavation 1999. Dublin.

Casey, C. and Alisdair R. (1993). The Buildings of Ireland North Leinster. Penguin, Dublin.

Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands (DAHGI), (1999). Frameworks and Principles

for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage, Government publications, Dublin.

Department of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands (DAHGI), (1999). Policy and Guidelines on

Archaeological Excavation. Government publications, Dublin.

Environmental Protection Agency, (1995). Advice notes on current practice in the preparation of

Environmental Impact Statements. Dublin.

Joyce, P.W. (1913). Irish Names of Places. Vol. III. Dublin.

Killannin, Lord & Duignan, M. (1962). The Shell Guide to Ireland. Edbury Press, London.

National Monuments Acts 1930-1994.

National Museum of Ireland. Topographical files, County Louth.

Nolan, W. & Simms, A. (Eds.). (1998). Irish Towns, A Guide to Sources. Dublin.

The Heritage Council, (2000). Archaeology & Development: Guidelines for Good Practice for Developers.

The Heritage Council of Ireland Series, Kilkenny.

The Planning and Heritage Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government. Sites and Monuments Record, County Louth.



APPENDIX 2 LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND

The 1992 European Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage was ratified by Ireland in

1997. The convention provides the basic framework for policy on the protection of the archaeological

heritage. In summary, the obligations on the state under the convention relate to

§ providing statutory protection measures

§ authorisation and supervision of archaeological activities

§ measures for the physical protection of the archaeological heritage

§ providing consultation between archaeologists and planners

§ providing financial support for research or rescue archaeology

§ facilitating the study of archaeological discoveries by making or bringing up to date maps,

surveys and inventories of archaeological sites

§ facilitating national and international exchanges of elements of the archaeological heritage for

scientific purposes

§ educating the public in relation to the value of and threat to the archaeological heritage

§ preventing the illicit circulation of elements of the archaeological heritage

§ providing for the exchange of information and experts on the archaeological heritage between

states party to the convention.

Irish Legislation

Irish legislation for the protection of archaeological heritage is based on the National Monuments Acts

1930-2004. This is in accordance with the Valletta Convention (as above). The Minister for Arts,

Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has a specific role in relation to the protection of the archaeological

heritage through powers provided by these acts and the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. The

overall state archaeological service is provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the

Islands (DAHGI) and delivered through the Planning and Heritage Section of the Department of the

Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Museum of Ireland (Irish Antiquities

Division) on behalf of the minister.



§ The National Monuments Acts secure the archaeological heritage in several key areas

§ The Protection of Archaeological Monuments and Areas

Section 2 of the 1930 Act (as amended) provides that ‘monument’ includes any artificial building or

structure, cave, stone or any natural object that has been altered or moved into purposefully put in

position, any prehistoric tomb, grave or burial or any ritual, industrial or habitation site or any traces of

the above. The Planning and Heritage Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government advises the Minister on the protection of archaeological monuments and places. There are

a number of mechanisms which can be applied to secure the protection of archaeological monuments

and areas.

§ The Record of Monuments and Places – a list and maps of monuments and relevant places in

each county maintained and updated by The Planning and Heritage Section of the Department

of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Monuments entered into it are referred

to as Recorded Monuments. Owners or occupiers of Recorded Monuments are required to give

two months notice to the Minister and obtain consent before carrying out any works in relation

to the monument.

§ The Register of Historic Monuments – a list of all historic monuments known to the Minister.

Owners or occupiers must not, other than with consent, alter, deface, demolish or in any

manner interfere with a historic monument entered in the register.

§ Preservation Orders and Temporary Preservation Orders. – Where it appears to the minister

that a monument, considered to be a national monument, is in danger or is actually being

destroyed or falling into decay the minister may by preservation order or temporary

preservation order, undertake the preservation of the monument. A temporary preservation

order will remain in force for six months and then expire.

The Protection of Archaeological objects

Section 2 of the 1930 Act (amended) defines an archaeological object as (in summary) any chattel in a

manufactured or partly manufactured state or an unmanufactured state but with an archaeological or

historical association. This includes ancient human, animal or plant remains. The National Museum of

Ireland advises the Minister on the protection of archaeological objects. The National Monuments Acts

state the following regarding the archaeological objects. Archaeological objects must not be altered by

any person unless issued with a licence to do so by the Minister. This includes cleaning, restoring,

sampling, cutting or drilling. No archaeological object found after 1930 may be purchased or otherwise

acquired or sold unless designated by the director of the Museum. It is unlawful to export or attempt to

export archaeological objects other than with an export licence.



The Control of Archaeological Excavation

It is unlawful for any person to dig or excavate in or under any land for the purpose of searching for

archaeological objects or particular structure or thing of archaeological interest known or believed to be

under such land unless issued with, or in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister. The Planning

and Heritage Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in

consultation with the National Museum, advises the Minister on the issuing of licences. In practice, for a

person to be issued with a licence to excavate, he or she will have to be considered eligible to hold one.

This is generally determined by interview.

The Control of Detection Devices

Section 2 of the 1987 Act defines a detecting device as a device designed or adapted for detecting or

locating any metal or mineral on the ground and under water. This does not include a camera. It is

unlawful to use or be in possession of such a device

§ At the site of a monument subject to a preservation order

§ A monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister

§ A monument entered in the Record of Monuments and Places

§ A monument entered in the Register of Historic Monuments



APPENDIX 3 IMPACT ASSESSMENT & THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE

Procedures relating to the carrying out of Cultural Heritage section of EISs.

Archaeological assessment has been described as “the overall process of assessing the impact of a

development” (DAHGI, 1999). The principle aim of assessment is to anticipate and avoid impacts on the

archaeological resource. Archaeological assessment may be required as part of the planning process in

response to developments which may be located in the vicinity of archaeological monuments, which are

extensive in terms of area or length, which are likely to have a substantial impact on present or former

wetlands, unenclosed land, rivers, lakes, the inter-tidal zone or the sea-bed (The Heritage Council.

2000).

Impact Assessment and Archaeology.

Archaeological monuments can comprise identifiable above ground features or subterranean traces of

previous activity. These monuments can be affected in the course of development in a number of ways.

Potential impacts can be identified through the assessment procedure by carrying out a paper

study/historical research. The documentary research can then be combined with existing baseline data,

field assessment and non-intrusive methods to provide a pre-development risk appraisal study for

developers. Further investigation or mitigation measures may subsequently be recommended prior to

and during the course of construction work. Sources used by archaeologists show considerable variation

(The Heritage Council, 2000). A number of primary baseline data sources and procedures must be

considered. These are listed below.

1. The Register of Monuments and Places. The RMP is a database recording all archaeological

sites in Ireland known to the National Monuments Service. It is based on the Sites and

Monuments Record of each County. The record comprises Ordnance Survey 6” sheets which

indicate the location of each monument or place of archaeological interest and files of further

documentary and photographic data or information relating to an archaeological event such as

a site visit, survey or excavation. These are housed in the National Monuments Services in

Dublin. The record is constantly updated and principally focuses on monuments that pre-date

1700.

2. The National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files. The National Museum in Dublin houses

an archive of antiquities cataloguing artefacts which were found and reported between 1928

and 1995. Artefacts can be used as a pointer to the levels of activity in an area in the past. As

such they are a useful guide to the archaeological potential of a site



3. Cartographic evidence. Ordnance Survey maps and available early maps are consulted and

examined. Historical maps are more easily available for urban sites. However, other sources,

such as estate maps, are available for rural sites.

4. Previous archaeological work near to the subject site. Previous fieldwork carried out locally

can provide further information on the surrounding landscape and help to determine the

nature of the archaeological resource. A yearly excavations bulletin catalogues all licensed

fieldwork carried out in the state. The Archaeological Survey of Ireland and local journals can

also be used as sources for this purpose

5. Field inspection. A site visit is necessary in order to determine the nature of the archaeological

resource and potential remains. Previously unknown archaeological sites can be identified

through topographical observations. A site visit can also be helpful in researching local

traditions/folklore which may help to indicate levels of activity in the area in the past.

6. Aerial photographs. The Geological Survey of Ireland, based in Dublin, holds a comprehensive

archive of high level vertical photographs available for consultation by the public and

researchers. This is an invaluable resource for the recognition of new sites and the contributing

to the understanding of known sites.

Examination of the above sources and the undertaking of the above procedures can result in a detailed

statement of the possible impacts on the archaeological resource of a proposed development and set

out recommendations as how the impact can be avoided, minimized or negated. By ensuring the earliest

identification of the archaeological impacts of a development these impacts can be minimized or

avoided, thus reducing costs and/or delays.

Direct and indirect impacts resulting from the proposed development on the archaeological resource

should be described and considered. This section of the cultural impact assessment should address the

results of disturbance by excavation or deposition, topsoil stripping or passage of machinery and

subsequent physical loss to a monument or its setting, desiccation of archaeological objects or remains

due to groundwater level changes, visual impacts and visual amenity impact.



Mitigation strategies and Archaeology

Although it is not always possible to detect archaeological sites prior to construction works, it is

important to investigate the potential impacts at the earliest phase of development, if possible during

site selection. The ideal mitigation for archaeological sites is avoidance/preservation in situ. This is,

however, not always possible. If the risk of disturbing archaeological remains is considered minimal, no

further archaeological work (other than monitoring of construction work) may be recommended.

Recommendations in the impact statement can be offered as mitigation measures should preservation

in situ prove impractical or impossible. These are as follows:

§ Archaeological Test Trenching. Test excavation has been defined as that form of

archaeological excavation where the purpose is to establish the nature and

extent of archaeological deposits and features present in a location which it is

proposed to develop (though not normally to fully investigate those deposits or

features) and allow an assessment to be made of the archaeological impact of

the proposed development (DAHGI, 1999).

• Full Archaeological Excavation. Archaeological excavation has been described as

being carried out in order to “mitigate the impact of development on

archaeological deposits, features and objects through scientific recording …

resulting in preservation by record …” (DAHGI, 1999).

• Archaeological Monitoring. Archaeological monitoring has been described as

"involving an archaeologist being present in the course of the carrying out of

development works (which may include conservation works), so as to identify

and protect archaeological deposits, features or objects which may be uncovered

or otherwise affected by the works" (DAHGI, 1999).

Documents

UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF