Archaeological dig to get underway at Cork beach this month 

An archaeological dig is expected to take place at Claycastle Beach in Youghal next week. 

The dig has been planned by electricity grid operator EirGrid and has been organised in advance of Celtic Interconnector project works in the area. 

Over the course of several days, experts will survey, plot and record the peat landscape long established on Claycastle Beach.

As part of these works, a number of shallow pits will be dug at intervals along the proposed cable route. 

These works follow on from excavations at the beach last spring. 

No artefacts of archaeological interest were found during those excavations.

The management of the works will be carried out by Coracle Archaeology, with oversight by the Underwater Archaeology Unit and the National Monuments Service.

A spokesperson for the project said the archaeological team will be using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to carefully excavate and analyse the site.

Speaking ahead of the planned works, Michael Mahon, EirGrid’s chief infrastructure officer said: “We, along with our contractors and subcontractors, are working with all stakeholders and agencies to ensure minimal disruption to beachgoers and wildlife while this work is taking place.

"EirGrid is committed to ensuring the success of this strategic energy project, while respecting the environmental and archaeological features of the area.”

When constructed, the subsea cable will not be visible at the landfall point at Claycastle Beach.

The underground cable will connect to the subsea cable by way of an underground transition joint and the underground landfall point will be fully re-instated following the completion of works, Eirgrid said. 

The Celtic Interconnector project will create an electrical interconnection between Ireland and France to allow the exchange of electricity between the two countries. 

The connection will link the existing electricity substation located in Knockraha to the substation in La Martyre (Finistère).