The artefact was discovered by accident during a dredging operation in November 2006 and has now been fully archaeologically excavated, revealing original timber features that carbon dating has shown to be from around 1500.
“The wreck will be conserved for further analysis and ultimately it is hoped to put in on public display,” said the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Experts working on uncovering the long boat have said that they are operating on a timber by timber basis to reveal as much of the original materials as possible, including large wooden sections, that have rested in the bed for more than 500 years.
It is believed that the long boat is a Viking vessel that used the clinker method of construction, which uses iron plates and planks to create the body of the ship.
