archaeological & built heritage assessment - The Heritage Council

sites of different periods. Development of the waterway landscape since prehistoric times can be
traced by means of the archaeological evidence from prehistoric, to medieval and post-medieval
times thus providing a sense of continuity and stability attested to the never-ending presence of
the waterway itself.
• Some of the archaeological sites studied for this project may have no direct relevance to the
waterway and vice versa. However, the waterway affords the opportunity for the interpretation
and appreciation of these often remote sites. The status and value of such sites is thus enhanced,
as is the value of the waterway as an amenity route.
• The waterway would have functioned as an imposing boundary to prehistoric peoples, especially
when in flood. However, it seems use was made of its important fording points as evidenced by
artefact finds at these locations, a testimony to the communication and transport significance of
the waterway.
• The significance of the waterway is clear in terms of its geographical location as the main
navigable route from northern regions through to the centre of Ireland and southern regions.
The social-geographical status of the waterway during medieval times is attested to by the siting
of several settlement and ecclesiastical sites in proximity to the valuable resources of travel and
communication which it provides.
• Previous to the plantation of the waterway environs during English colonization of Ireland, the
socio-economic environment was comprised of a series of Gaelic lordships. As such, the
subsequent reallocation of tower houses and castles contributed to the early development of
towns and defence measures. Such measures brought with it the important strategic value of
securing the waterway as a gateway to these territories. These developments influenced the
contemporary history of the waterway and the evolution of settlement patterns in its adjoining
countryside, towns and villages.
• The waterway has acted as a significant sustainable resource for its adjacent communities. The
navigable features were originally developed as economic development activities creating
valuable financial resources through navigation related tourism.
• Research for this study has articulated a range of features of interest along the waterway. Seen
individually many of these places and features have limited interest but when linked to the
adjacent waterway and to each other they acquire a significance which is enhanced by the overall
environmental quality throughout the landscape of the waterway.
• The waterway creates a significant sense of place thus providing a basis for understanding the
past, for understanding ourselves, and to provide a context for the trends we experience today.
• Creative and technological architectural accomplishments of many of the buildings adjacent to
the waterway serve to enhance an idea of survival and authenticity of the very fabric of past Irish
society.
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