Press Release. Department of the Environment,
Heritage & Local Government,
16th. July 2007.

Gormley Announces Excavation and Lifting
- of Medieval Vessel at Drogheda Port

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D., today (16th. July 2007) stated that the recovery of the medieval sailing vessel discovered during the course of dredging operations in the River Boyne late last year is now nearing completion. The excavation and recovery of the wreck has been led by the National Monuments Service of his Department - working in conjunction with the National Museum of Ireland and the Drogheda Port Company.

"My Department is responsible for the investigation, excavation, recording and raising of the wreck while the National Museum is supplying conservation expertise on-site and will take over responsibility for conservation after the boat is recovered. The close co-operation and support from Drogheda Port Company in supplying logistics in terms of support vessels, site offices, and equipment to facilitate the operation is much appreciated".

The wreck was first discovered in late November 2006 during dredging operations being undertaken in the River Boyne by Drogheda Port Company. The accidental discovery has generated great interest, because it is the first such discovery in Ireland and much of the wreck is intact. The wreck lies close to Drogheda port and is some 12 metres in length. The location of the vessel in mid-stream of the fast flowing River Boyne means that it was impracticable to leave the vessel to be preserved in situ. The wreck has now been fully archaeologically excavated to best international standards by an archaeological team from the Department supported by necessary externally commissioned resources. Having excavated and recorded the wreck to the fullest extent possible the team will now seek to recover as much of the wreck as possible on a timber by timber basis. There is some possibility that larger intact wooden sections may be recoverable but this will only become apparent in the final stages of the operation. The wreck will be conserved for further analysis and ultimately it is hoped to put it on public display. The final phase of the recovery operation on the wreck will, as heretofore, be overseen by the National Monuments Service of Minister Gormley’s Department in co-operation with conservation experts from the National Museum of Ireland and with logistical support from Drogheda Port Company.

"This is considered to be a discovery of national and international significance. No similar wreck has been discovered so intact in Irish waters and seldom even in Europe and I am delighted that my Department is funding and co-ordinating the challenging recovery operation".

It is envisaged that the rescue operation will be completed by mid July 2007. It is only then that the full import of the discovery can be evaluated. The examination, conservation and analysis of this unique discovery in Irish and European maritime archaeological heritage will take some years of patient research to come to full fruition.

ENDS

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