Achill Archaeological Field School, Ireland, 2018

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 programs 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. We offer 12, 6, 4 and 2 week accredited courses, introductory and trainee supervisor courses, with up to 9 Semester Hour Credits available.

In 2018 we are undertaking two excavations examining historic settlements on Achill Island. The first is the pre-Famine village at Keem Bay. Circa 1838 there were 40 buildings at the settlement, but shortly after the Famine, in the 1850's, these were cleared and a geometric 'improved' landscape was laid out. This ongoing research provides an unparalleled glimpse into everyday life in pre-Famine Ireland, and offers a significant challenge to popular perceptions of the period The second is at the older abandoned sand-hills settlement at Caraun Point on the north of Achill Island. The excavation will answer some important questions about the development of vernacular settlements and building traditions on Ireland’s Atlantic coast.

*New 2018 Achill Scholarship worth $2000
*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 courses 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