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.