Ireland’s coastline unveils three hidden shipwrecks
Three newly discovered shipwrecks have been uncovered on Dublin’s Portmarnock Beach, as reported by various Irish media. The discovery occurred after local underwater photographer and drone operator Nigel Motyer spotted the shape of a ship protruding from the sand in late July. After Motyer alerted the National Monuments Service (NMS), their team confirmed that one of the wrecks had been previously recorded in the Wreck Inventory of Ireland as last visible in 2017. During the investigation, three additional, previously undocumented, shipwrecks were found.
The NMS team has surveyed and photographed the wrecks and is now analysing their materials, size and construction style to identify the vessels. Despite exposure to tides and weather, the wrecks remain valuable for understanding Ireland’s maritime past.
Portmarnock has a long history of shipwrecks, with over 50 wrecks recorded in the area. These vessels, ranging from 14th-century trading ships to 20th-century coal boats, were often lost in bad weather. The NMS continues to study these new finds before they are reburied, adding them to Ireland’s Wreck Inventory, which includes over 18,000 shipwrecks.
This discovery underscores ongoing efforts to protect Ireland’s underwater heritage, ensuring that these historical remnants are preserved for future generations.
