Field Archaeology Winter: Monastic Midlands – Uncovering the Archaeology of Ireland’s Hidden Heartland

We are excited to continue our research project studying the Monastic Midlands in County Offaly.

This program is run in partnership with the Institute for Field Research and is accredited by Connecticut College in the US.

This field school takes a truly landscape scale approach to archaeological research. The program will examine the geological and glacial processes that shaped the landscape in which the early saints founded their monasteries. It will then apply a range of archaeological survey techniques to interpret the sites they left behind, recording the earthworks, structures, architectural fragments and grave slabs that continue to survive at these monasteries.

The program includes the following modules:

• landscape assessment including geology and glacial morphology

• a wide range of survey techniques including photogrammetry

• osteoarchaeological training through simulated excavations and a basic introduction to laboratory techniques.

• an introduction to experimental archaeology

The program, which is four-weeks in duration, operates three times during the year:

• Winter: Sunday 03-Jan-27 to Saturday 30-Jan-27

• Summer 1: Sunday 20-Jun-27 to Saturday 17-Jul-27

• Summer 2: Sunday 18-Jul-27 to Saturday 24-Aug-27

Staying with local families in homestay accommodation, this program also offers a deeply enriching cultural immersion, guaranteeing students a truly memorable experience.

Registration for this program is managed through the Institute for Field Research application portal.