It's expected they could be from the latter half of the 17th century.
Historical artefacts have been discovered in a multi-million upgrade to a midlands wastewater treatment system.
During preparation for tunnelling works due to be carried out at The Strand in Athlone, pottery shards, a clay tobacco pipe and glass fragments were found.
They're likely to be from the latter half of the 17th century.
Uisce Éireann expects the tunnelling works to begin in January, which are part of a €114m upgrade to Athlone's wastewater treatment system.
Portfolio Manager at Uisce Éireann, Eunan Canavan, says it's important the artefacts are preserved:
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