Fingal Coastal Zone Project
Fingal has a rich and varied maritime heritage along its 88km-long coastline. Many of Fingal’s historic harbours are still in use (e.g., Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Howth) while only mysterious traces remain of others. Historic ruins are visible along the coast and on the islands, artefacts and debris are washed up on the beaches, while the large number of shipwrecks, from logboats to 19th century timber wrecks recorded and stories of pirates and smugglers are ever-present reminders of how Fingal’s past is bound up with the sea.
This project aims to raise awareness of Fingal’s rich maritime heritage and to promote the and demonstrate how you can help to record sites and finds in order to safeguard your maritime heritage.
Photo: Conn Herriot
Maritime heritage encompasses all human interaction with the sea, rivers and lakes-be they vessels, shore-side facilities, port-related structures, cargoes, human remains or submerged landscapes – in this case, located along our coast, foreshore and intertidal zone (the zone between high tide and low tide).
Fingal Heritage Office, with assistance from the Heritage Council, has commissioned Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) to develop a project toolkit and hold sessions on identification, recording of our maritime heritage assets for community members
Join us for training sessions;
- Sunday 17 August: Portmarnock Beach. Meet North Carpark, 11am.
- Friday 29 August: Skerries Harbour. Meet Red Island Carpark, 10am.
- Sunday 14 September: Rush North Beach. Meet Rush Harbour Carpark,10am.
- Friday 03 October: Balbriggan, King’s Strand. Meet Bremore Castle Carpark, 2.30pm.
Each session will last for about 2 hours and consist of a brief introduction to Fingal’s maritime heritage, the project, site types and recording techniques, followed by 2km or so of walking. Suitable for all who are able and happy to walk the beaches and shoreline. The sessions will go ahead in all but very bad weather - so raingear will be essential.
View and download the Fingal Coastal Zone toolkit