This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
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
7.1.1 The Development Area.......................................................................................................40 7.2 Assessment of Potential Impacts................................................................................................40 7.3 Recommendations......................................................................................................................41
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 2
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).
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 3
Figure 2. Overall development plan
Figure 3. Cross section of outfall
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 4
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 5
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 6
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 7
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 8
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 9
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 10
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 11
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 12
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 13
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 14
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 15
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 16
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 17
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 18
Figure 7. Extract from RMP Maps [online], RMP sites are highlighted in red and the site location in magenta
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 19
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 20
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 21
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
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 22
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.
M09LH02 New South Quays, Co. Meath September 2009
MOORE MARINE Ltd. – Archaeological, Environmental, Oceanographic and Geophysical Page 23
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: