2. Methodology
This report is based on a programme of desktop research and desk-based assessment. The methodology used for assessing the types and significance of impacts is informed by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Draft Advice Notes for Preparing an EIS (2015) and Draft Guidelines for Information to be Contained in EIAR (2017). Desktop study A desktop study assessment has been carried out in order to identify all known archaeological sites within the study area. The principal sources reviewed for this assessment of the known archaeological resource are the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). Between 1984 and 1992, the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI) issued a series of county SMRs which lists known archaeological sites and places and this record formed the basis for the statutory RMP established under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994. Similar in format to the SMRs (comprising a list and set of maps), the RMPs were issued for each county in the State between 1995 and 1998. Archaeological monuments included in the statutory RMP are legally protected and are generally referred to as ‘Recorded Monuments’. The ASI has continued to record and add entries to the SMR and has developed an online database and web viewer known as ‘Historic Environment Viewer’. This has been developed to enhance the user’s experience by facilitating access to the database of the National Monuments Service’s Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) in a seamless one stop point of access for both data resources (Source: www.archaeology.ie).
In addition, the following sources were consulted as part of the desktop study:
• Cartographic Sources - The detail on cartographic sources can indicate past settlement and land use patterns in recent centuries and can also highlight the impact of modern developments and agricultural practices. This information can aid in the identification of the location and extent of unrecorded, or partially levelled, features of archaeological or architectural heritage interest. The cartographic sources examined for the study area include Carew/ Hardiman’s 1601 plan of Cork , Story’s 1690 map of Cork, Carty’s 1726 map, Ro cque’s 1759 map and the First Edition 1:10,560 Ordnance Survey map (1837-42).
• Literary Sources - Various published literary sources were consulted in order to assess the archaeological and historical record of the study area (see Section 7 ).
• Aerial photography – In parallel with the cartographic study, a review publicly-accessible aerial photographic sources from the Ordnance Survey, Google and Bing Maps was undertaken. • Development Plans - The local authority development plan relevant to the study area was consulted as part of this assessment. These plans outline the local authorities’ policies for the conservation of the archaeological and architectural heritage resource and include the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) and any designated Architectural Conservation
Integrated Urban Strategy, Shandon, Cork Baseline archaeological assessment
3
Powered by FlippingBook