An old boat slipway discovered at the edge of the river Shannon in Athlone last week is thought to be almost 200 years old.
A stretch of limestone blocks of almost 12 metres in length, and 3 metres across were uncovered during groundworks for the flood defence wall at The Strand in Athlone.
It's believed the slipway dates back to the Shannon Navigation works of the 1840's and could have served as an access ramp for works to the drained riverbed.
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Archaeologist Graham Hull says they'll now look for permission to cover in the slipway and walls with a special membrane before pouring the concrete for the flood defence.
