A significant exhibition, "Limerick's History Through Artefacts", was officially opened yesterday at the Jim Kemmy municipal museum in Castle Lane by the Mayor of Limerick, Cllr Dick Sadlier.
The exhibition is based on the archaeological discoveries found during the construction of the major £150 million Limerick main drainage project. Some 12,500 items were discovered during excavations.
The main drainage project is probably the largest civil engineering work undertaken in Limerick. Three local authorities, Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council and Clare County Council, are involved, with Limerick city as the lead agency and supported by EU and national funding.
When completed it will provide Limerick city and environs with a state-of-the-art sewerage system and result in a major improvement in water quality in the River Shannon.
The mayor said: "Engineers and builders naturally like to work in greenfield sites, but of necessity much of the work on the LMD took place within the confines of our ancient city and this added considerably to the complexity of the project. It also gave a unique opportunity, a window into the past and you can see some of the results here today."
He added: "Limerick City Council was fully aware of its responsibilities to guard the city's valuable heritage. It commissioned Margaret Gowen and Co to be guided by Dúchas, The Heritage Service, and the National Museum of Ireland in the recording of all historically important items revealed by the project works. The results of these excavations lie before us and indeed it is astonishing that one project can have led to the discovery of such a collection.
"It was not possible to predict precisely what lay submerged below the waters of the Abbey River, but as the considerable engineering work progressed, the river began to yield up its exciting and sometimes violent stories from the past. The finds that have been discovered reflect the civic history of the city in terms of trade, commerce, wars and everyday life and the extensive number and variety in the collection are a unique reflection of the city's wide and varied history," he said.
Among the artefacts are the Limerick Port seal which has been used as a symbol of the exhibition. This unique artefact records the Port of Limerick's Coat of Arms, which was previously unknown. The symbolism of the ship, the anchor and the harp on a shield surrounded by a lion is a reflection of the city's commercial and maritime tradition.
Museum curator Mr Larry Walsh said the collection of items from the Siege of Limerick reawakened the events of 1690 and bloody battle. The mortar bombs, cannon balls and human remains are a direct link to the events that unfolded inside and outside the town wall.
The discovery of rare intact mortar bombs is especially important because of their condition. It is extremely rare to discover a complete mortar bomb as they usually fragment on impact.
There are few if any comparable examples in Ireland, Britain or Europe from the 17th century that are associated with a battle. Little of the city's Viking heritage has survived but on display is a unique Viking Age (circa AD 1000) bronze artefact.