Naust

The National Monuments Service's description

Cut into the gravel seashore on the NE side of Lonehort Harbour, on the SE side of Bere Island. In addition to being subjected to natural erosion, further damage is known to have occurred to this naust during the clean-up operations following the Whiddy Oil Terminal disaster in 1979 (pers. comm. J. Sheehan). Subsequent excavations at this site in 1995 (Breen 1996, 5-6) revealed a naust or artificial boat shelter used for the repair or storage of Viking boats. A low drystone facing of three courses was found at the rear of the naust. The facing stones were block-like and quite large (pers. comm. J. Sheehan). Behind this facing, and resting on the cut of the naust, a quantity of rubble was found set in loosely packed soil. The size of the structure indicated that it would have originally accommodated an average-sized coastal boat, probably with a beam of just over 3m. A regular area of beach clearance led SW to a jetty (CO116-041001-) near the low-water mark. (Breen 1996, 5-6; Sheehan, Stummann Hansen and Ó Corráin 2001)

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009).

Date of upload: 22 December 2009