Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 March 2018
660. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the ongoing archaeological monitoring that has taken place during each of the past ten peat extraction seasons along the routes of two 3,000 year old ancient trackways discovered at Mayne, County Westmeath in 2006 (details supplied). [13869/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra661. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 7 March 2017, the result of her Department's examination of the designation for protection of the untouched areas of high bog at Mayne, County Westmeath (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 and 661 together.
In line with general practice for peat extraction, a rolling series of survey work, investigation and excavations have been carried out at Mayne Bog over a number of years. In 2006, with the co-operation of the landowners, my Department commissioned a full survey of the then known togher (constructed of planks) followed by the excavation of a single cutting across the togher. During the course of this excavation, a second togher (of brushwood construction) was identified slightly to the north of the plank togher and running parallel to it. This was also surveyed and recorded.
In 2013, the landowners commissioned an environmental impact statement in connection with a peat extraction licence application to the Environmental Protection Agency. As part of the assessment process, the peatlands were fully examined by a qualified archaeological consultant and, aside from the plank togher, no further finds or features of archaeological significance were identified at that time.
In 2014, at my Department’s request, another inspection was commissioned by the landowners to assess the status of both toghers. During 2015, and also at the request of my Department, the landowners commissioned a series of excavations which were carried out at three separate locations on both toghers.
In 2016, with the permission of the landowners, my Department commissioned an Induced Polarisation Survey (an advanced geophysical technique) to examine an area of high bog to the east of the open industrial bog at Mayne. This methodology was previously used successfully at Edercloon, County Longford, to identify wooden structures outside the road corridor where other parts of the structures were under excavation by the National Roads Authority. Due to the heavily waterlogged nature of the high bog at Mayne, the geophysical survey was inconclusive in tracking the togher into the higher peatlands. During 2017, my Department commissioned a further survey using metal probes inserted through the peat, as developed and employed successfully in research at Céide Fields in North Mayo. The survey successfully identified that the togher continues to the east from the edge of the high bog for a minimum distance of 200 metres at depths from the surface varying from 1 to 2.4 metres.
All the information referred to will assist in the protection and preservation of these toghers. In that context, my Department is continuing to engage with all stakeholders, including the local authority and the landowners, to progress the preservation of the togher in the high bog.
I am satisfied that the measures being taken with regard to the protection of the toghers uncovered at Mayne represent the best approach to securing an optimal outcome. Unlike cases involving delivery of key infrastructure which are supported by the Codes of Practice agreed and in place between my Department and the various State utility providers, archeological discoveries arising from private development have to be dealt with on a case by case basis. In such instances, the practice is to seek the co-operation of private landowners with the protection and recording of monuments in line, for example, with my Department’s engagement with farmers under GLAS, the current agri-environmental scheme. Such engagement is undertaken in a collaborative and transparent manner and I am satisfied that it is proving to be the best mechanism for guaranteeing the preservation of these monuments into the future.
