Minor Harbours of the East Coast of Ireland

Abstract

Considerable progress in the engineering of maritime structures occurred between the 18th and 20th centuries in Ireland. While major harbours have been well documented, there remain considerable structures that due to their small size have been overlooked. These minor harbours represent a considerable source of information, many having originated through local efforts only to be later modified through government works in the 19th and 20th centuries. The danger posed to these structures from deterioration and rising sea levels is increasing and it is imperative to create accurate records for the appropriate management and conservation of these structures. An initial pilot study of Coliemore Harbour [1] was undertaken in 2014-15, which served to establish a provisional methodology for scanning procedures, using a Leica Geosystems LiDAR scanner, from which precise measurements and configurations of each structure can be catalogued and compared. The pilot study served to identify issues to be addressed to ensure the information captured is both complete and as widely transportable to alternative formats as possible for ease of access to a broader range of users.