Achill Archaeological Field School 2017

The Achill Archaeological Field School (estd. 1991) is a training school for archaeology students accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway. Our mission is to promote the discipline of archaeology through academic and field-based study programmes that combine in-depth training with state-of-the art archaeological research. The Field School supplements field-based learning with weekly field trips to local sites and monuments and provides a series of evening lectures, seminars, and conferences on topics of historical and archaeological interest. The work of the Field School contributes enormously to the understanding, promotion and safeguarding of the local archaeological resource. We offer 6, 4 and 2 week accredited courses, introductory and trainee supervisor courses.


In 2017 we will be undertaking two projects:
*In May and June (Session 1) we will be excavating at the site of the pre-Famine settlement of Keem. This is our fifth season of excavation at Keem. Circa 1838 there were 40 buildings at the settlement, but shortly after the Famine, in the 1850s, these were cleared and a geometric 'improved' landscape was laid out.

*In July and August (Session 2) we will return to the fascinating multi-period 'Cromlech Tumulus', a multi-period site on the slopes of the iconic Slievemore mountain. The site comprises a large Middle Bronze Age house overlain with late medieval huts. We will also be investigating the adjacent 'Danish Ditch', a prehistoric pre-bog wall.

*Spectacular location on the Wild Atlantic Way.
*The courses provide a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of archaeological excavation and recording.
*All accredited modules include specialist courses e.g. ceramics analysis, archaeological illustration, GIS, photogrammetry.
*Classes are supplemented by local and national field trips.
*Weekly lecture series on Irish archaeology supplemented by additional fortnightly guest lectures from a range of experts.

English