archaeological & built heritage assessment - The Heritage Council

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The early Irish medieval period is very much characterized by the long-term establishment of settlement patterns. Locational factors for such settlements relied on accessibility to transport and communication which was largely facilitated by the network of lakes and rivers throughout the midlands. The River Shannon, the most extensive navigable Irish river, played a significant role in this regard. Fording points, dug-out canoes, and early medieval artefacts found in the riverine and lake environs of the study area is testimony to this. It is possible that further such evidence is presently contained within the waterway with deeper waters perhaps housing boat/ship wrecks while intermediate and shallow waters containing items such as fish traps, landing areas and artefacts such as those listed in Appendix 2. The late medieval period was an era of castle building in Ireland, and very often those sites located in strategic positions adjacent to rivers also had associated bridges constructed. Those dating from the early medieval period would have been built of wood and wicker materials and were regularly burnt during attacks. However as the later medieval period progressed more permanent stone-built structures were designed. It is noted from documentary sources that the majority of bridges located within the study area originated as wooden structures and were later replaced by stone bridges on or near the original location, such as those at Drumheriff, Leitrim, Jamestown and Cloonavery. It is possible that remnants of these early bridges survive beneath the water at these locations. It is noted that dredging works on the Shannon waterways in the past have produced significant quantities of artefactual material, some of which was found at fording points, which is now housed in the National Museum of Ireland. The dropping of water levels at Lough Allen has uncovered some interesting areas where crannógs had been sited off the east shore and as well as other indications of early habitation. Lough Key is an interesting lake with several small islands and extensive land-based archaeological remains of medieval date. It is likely that more such remains exist beneath the waters of the lough itself. Furthermore, the Boyle river is likely to reveal underwater archaeological remains as it serves as one of the main navigational routes from Lough Key and the Shannon, connecting the historical towns of Carrickon-Shannon and Boyle. Underwater sensitive areas within the corridor can be defined as certain fording points (not all of which have been allocated RMP status e.g. Derrycarne demesne), access points to any of the islands on Lough Allen, Lough Key or the shoreline, shallow waters forming the Great Loop which surround the peninsula between Jamestown and Drumsna which is also the location of the Doon, and as a whole the river bed and deep waters of the corridor are at risk in terms of damage from jet-skis and anchoring respectively. The speed of boats on Lough Allen, Lough Key, the Carnadoe Waters and the River Shannon has a negative impact not only on the reed beds surrounding the shores and islands but also on underwater archaeology. The movement of water can affect and damage fragile features such as wattling (often associated with crannógs). Furthermore it could expose and dislodge logboats or artefacts which may originally have been buried in situ or, it could help enhance erosion processes on vulnerable materials and structures such as quays or landing slips associated with defensive sites. Any future development of accessibility to the islands of Lough Allen and Lough Key should be welcomed however an awareness of archaeology and its delicate nature should be made known to those who wish to gain access to archaeological sites. This could be achieved by the provision of appropriate signage or information boards. Suitable landing facilities should be made available, provided they do not have an impact (visual or other) on the monument. 16
Future underwater investigation into this region would be of significant benefit to future research as well as of educational value to heritage, land and water based users. It is recommended that any plans or proposals made regarding the future of the waterway and its lacustrine environment should be forwarded to DoEHLG, Underwater Archaeological Unit for consideration, well in advance of works being carried out so that suitable mitigation measures can be made. If a navigable corridor is to be proposed in certain areas in need of regeneration, impact to archaeological sites and areas of underwater archaeological potential should be avoided. This includes impacts associated with dredging or drainage in and along the waterways as they have the potential to disturb underwater archaeological remains. 17
Page 1 and 2: ARCHAEOLOGICAL & BUILT HERITAGE ASS
Page 3 and 4: 1 Introduction Executive Summary A
Page 5 and 6: 2 Methodology Desktop Survey A desk
Page 7 and 8: During the Neolithic and Early Bron
Page 9 and 10: Hillforts are one indication of the
Page 11 and 12: stone anchor/net sinker in Kilglass
Page 13 and 14: Throughout this time of castle buil
Page 15: At the time of newly acquired wealt
Page 19 and 20: completed in 1817 and the Ballinamo
Page 21 and 22: Most bridges throughout Europe in t
Page 23 and 24: consumed, the company simply moved
Page 25 and 26: castles; while others were uncastel
Page 27 and 28: • Mohill • Drumod • Roosky
Page 29 and 30: Though one thousand started with hi
Page 31 and 32: King House, the original early eigh
Page 33 and 34: slated houses and a constabulary ba
Page 35 and 36: small island a short distance upstr
Page 37 and 38: the aforementioned sites, there are
Page 39 and 40: entrance to Lough Allen Canal are s
Page 41 and 42: Area 3 Area 3 has been defined as t
Page 43 and 44: dwelling / earthworks (7) / deer pa
Page 45 and 46: settled during the medieval period
Page 47 and 48: sites of different periods. Develop
Page 49 and 50: 8 Legal and policy framework for th
Page 51 and 52: A number of other statutes may also
Page 53 and 54: cultural, scientific, social or tec
Page 55 and 56: of the era by providing an overview
Page 57 and 58: mainly gentry, to these areas for m
Page 59 and 60: Archaeological Potential in the Rec
Page 61 and 62: Policies & recommendations for futu
Page 63 and 64: Policy • As part of any developme
Page 65 and 66: • The archaeology of Irelands riv
Page 67 and 68:
Delaney, R. (ed.) (2000) The Shell
Page 69 and 70:
Opie, H. - (1995f) 'Kiltycamey. Ful
Page 71 and 72:
Appendix 1 | Catalogue: Cultural He
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NMI Year of Townland County Artefac
Page 75 and 76:
NMI Number 1955:4 Year of Discovery
Page 77 and 78:
County 6-inch OS Townland RMP No. S
Page 79 and 80:
County 6-inch OS Townland RMP No. S
Page 81 and 82:
Dev. Plan Ref. No. NIAH Ref. No. -
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Dev. Plan Ref. No. NIAH Ref. No. Bu
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Dev. Plan Ref. No. NIAH Ref. No. 49
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Page 113:
Appendix 5 | Photographic Record 11
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