Duchas, the Heritage Service, has said the anchor found off the north Mayo coast is believed to be about two centuries old and is not linked to an Armada wreck, writes Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent.
Preliminary examination of the anchor by the National Museum of Ireland indicates it dates from about 1800, a spokesman for Duchas said yesterday. However, the location of the find in Broadhaven Bay is close to where at least two Armada ships are believed to have foundered in 1588.
Divers with Duchas examined the site this week and found that the chain to which the anchor had been attached is embedded in the sand.
"There may be a shipwreck under there, but it is far too early to say," the spokesman said.
The area has been designated as protected under the National Monuments Act, and a scan may be commissioned, depending on resources, he added.
A local fisherman hauled up the anchor, which was connected to a chain by a wire, in a sandy area between Brandy Point in Broadhaven Bay and Ballyglass lighthouse. The chain initially pointed to more recent vintage, but on closer examination by Supt Tony McNamara of Belmullet Garda station, Duchas was informed.
Some 26 Armada ships were lost off this coast with 5,250 crew in 1588, and at least three were off north Mayo. One has been located near Geesala, but two are believed to be in and around Kid Island and Pullathomas, the location for the proposed gas pipeline ashore from the Corrib field.
Other shipwrecks in the area include the Arab, a 390 ton sloop which was lost with 101 on board in Broadhaven near Belmullet in 1823. In all, this coastline has claimed over 12,000 ships, with more than 2,000 recorded. The Armada sites are off Co Sligo, Co Donegal, Co Antrim and the Blasket islands, Co Kerry.