Heritage Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 May 2021

Thursday, 6 May 2021

Questions (62)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

62. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the 12 foot medieval longboat which was discovered on the bed of the River Boyne, Drogheda in July 2007 and taken for preservation and conservation by the Department of the Environment at that time; the present location and state of preservation of the boat; if the boat can now be placed on public display in a suitably controlled environment in Drogheda in view of its unique and special national and international significance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The boat was discovered during the course of dredging works by the Port of Drogheda following which my Department's National Monuments Service (NMS) carried out a full excavation in 2007 in collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland and the port authorities.

The remains are of an almost fully intact 16th century clinker built coastal trader, including a cargo of 13 barrels. Post-excavation work undertaken by NMS included specialist analysis of the barrel material showing salted fish as the contents at the time of the sinking but that the barrels had originally been used to import wine from France. On completion of the post-excavation analysis, the wreck and barrel material were transferred to the National Museum of Ireland where they remain undergoing conservation.

The National Museum is responsible for the on-going conservation of the wreck and for any plans in relation to its future presentation to the public.