Tales of Medieval Dublin, lunchtime talks
A quick heads up about the excellent Tales of Medieval Dublin lecture series. Following its successful run in 2010, Dublin City Council and the Friends of Medieval Dublin are delighted to re-introduce, Tales of Medieval Dublin, a series of seven free lunchtime lectures held monthly between June and December 2011. Former minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, and […]
Irish corn-drying kilns, their Bronze Age origins?
A number of recent archaeological excavations have shed light on the possible ancient origins of corn-drying kilns in Ireland. These structures played an important role in cereal production, especially in damp climates such as Ireland where they were used to remove moisture prior to storage as well as to harden cereals to facilitate threshing and […]
On-line RMP database mapping updated
Just a quick post to let everyone know that the on-line RMP database mapping (a list of recorded archaeological monuments) at Archaeology.ie has been updated. It’s now based on ordnance survey mapping and at first glance it appears far more accessible and user friendly than the previous version, which was frankly torturous to use at times. Each of the […]
Mystery artefact sheds new light on Irish Bronze Age weaving
An unusual prehistoric artefact was recovered during the archaeological excavation of one of a pair of Middle Bronze Age structures identified at Knockgraffon, Co. Tipperary (along the N8 Cashel to Mitchelstown Road scheme, see McQuade, Molloy & Moriarty 2009). Each of the structures was defined by a circle of postholes and internally contained a large […]
Dublin, The Prehistoric City
When we think about the archaeology of Dublin the first things that comes to mind are the extensive Viking remains uncovered at sites such Woodquay/Fishamble Street and Temple Bar as well as the deep deposits of medieval archaeological remains that are found across much of the city centre. However, recently excavations at number of […]
Archaeology showcase at Ferrycarrig, The Irish National Heritage Park
In the week the Irish government announced a new tourism drive, I’d better give a plug to the heritage sector. As it happens, last Sunday I spent a very enjoyable day at the Irish National Heritage Park at Ferrycarrig in Co. Wexford. The park, which is located on the banks of the river Slaney in […]
The School of Irish Archaeology
Just a quick heads up about a new heritage business set up by another recently unemployed archaeologist. Mark Kelly, a man who has spent the last ten years working on archaeological sites throughout the country, has just founded The School of Irish Archaeology. This new company’s goal is to bring archaeology into the classroom through […]
New Viking houses found in Dublin
I see on the news that archaeologists Alan Hayden and Co. uncovered what may be the remains of two Viking houses in Temple bar, Dublin. Exciting stuff! These structures appear to have been located on an island in the River Poddle, and thus would have been located outside of the Viking city walls. Although details […]
Mayday and the Celtic festival of Bealtaine
In Ireland Mayday is surrounded by a rich folklore tradition, most of which dates from 19th century. These beliefs give an insight into the mindset of a earlier, more rural Ireland where the spirit world and superstition still prevailed. While archaeologists are mainly concerned with the physical remains of past cultures, folklore can help us […]