Wreck discovered - Preserving our history

Anyone familiar with West Cork will not be surprised by the discovery of nuts in Schull Harbour.

They may, however, be slightly surprised — West Cork doesn’t do shock — that these small, hairy nuts are seven “perfectly preserved” coconuts probably from the Caribbean or North Africa.

Archaeologists also found Iberian pottery, including olive jars from Seville, in a 16th century shipwreck in 10m of water close to the resort village. It appears that, even 500 years ago, the people of Schull enjoyed the good life.

At a time when there is such deep disagreement about consolidating cultural institutions, this wonderful and interesting discovery reminds us of our obligation to protect the past for the future. How else would we enjoy the Book of Kells today if some monk or bureaucrat long since returned to dust had not protected it for people he could never know?