Amplify Archaeology Podcast

By Neil JackmanSociety & Culture Science Social Sciences History Places & Travel

Amplify Archaeology Podcast episodes

March 27Medieval Gaelic Ireland Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Medieval Gaelic Ireland
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 52 with Dr Daniel Curley
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil chats with Dr Daniel Curley about the Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine, and the landscapes of Medieval Gaelic Ireland.
With the Year of the Normans on the horizon, there is undoubtedly going to be a renewed interest in the story of the Norman impact on medieval Ireland. It should also provide opportunities to understand the context into which the Normans arrived, by examining the culture, society, and landscapes of medieval Gaelic Ireland. One such study has already been carried out by Dr Daniel Curley, who examined the Ó Cellaig (O’Kelly) lordship of Uí Maine and Tír Maine, a substantial political territory and influential cultural power in later medieval Connacht.
Daniel’s book follows the story of the Ó Cellaig from their emergence as one of the principal offshoots of the Uí Maine in c.1100, to the demise of the lordship around the year 1600. It begins with an historical background, which helps to identify the lordly centres (cenn áiteanna), and define the shifting physical boundaries of this territory through the period.
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Daniel joins Neil to dig into the subject, and discusses the impact of the Normans on this part of medieval Gaelic Ireland.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie (and use the coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off).
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Medieval Gaelic Ireland
Duration: 49 mins.
Summary:
In this episode we explore Medieval Gaelic Ireland with Dr Daniel Curley
Medieval Gaelic Ireland – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
How Daniel became interested in this era and landscape – 2 min 50 secs
A background to the lordship of Uí Maine and Tír Maine – 3 min 58 secs
What forms of evidence did Daniel use to understand the story of this era and place – 5 min 42 secs
Where did the O’Kellys come from, and how did they become so prominent? – 8 min 10 secs
What was the relationship between the O’Conors and O’Kellys? – 10 min 42 secs
What was the social hierarchical structure of the lordship? – 14 min 15 secs
How did day to day life change across the period? – 18 min
Lordly residences through time, cashels, ringforts, crannogs – 21 min 04 secs
Cultural continuity and tradition – 25 min 27 secs
What are the differences between the Gaelic and Norman/English? – 28 mins 40 secs
The church of Medieval Gaelic Ireland – 31 mins 10 secs
The introduction of towerhouses – 35 mins 22 secs
The twilight of Medieval Gaelic Ireland – 38 mins 37 secs
Where you can go to experience Medieval Gaelic Ireland – 43 mins 15 secs
Links to further information
I highly recommend Daniel’s book The Uí Chellaig lords of Uí Maine and Tír Maine for a much deeper dive into the subject. You can order a copy online at the Four Courts Press website, or in the Rathcroghan Book Shop.
You can hear Daniel featured on a previous episode of Amplify Archaeology discussing the brilliant Farming Rathcroghan Project. You can find that here.
And I highly recommend a visit to the Rathcroghan Centre, find more information here.
I hope you enjoyed the show. I’d be so grateful if you could leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
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Episode 33 with Dr Daniel Curley et al
Farming Rathcroghan
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Episode 38 with Dr Michelle Comber
Excavations at Caherconnell Fort
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Episode 27 with Dr. Karen Dempsey
Relict Plants & Medieval Women
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The post Medieval Gaelic Ireland Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
50 min
February 27Celtic Ireland Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Celtic Ireland
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 51 with Professor John Waddell
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil chats with Professor John Waddell about Celtic Ireland, discussing how our understanding of the Celts has developed, looking at the historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence, the politics of the past and present, and how the story is told today.
The Celts first appear in history in Greek and Roman sources, such as the writings of Hecataeus and Herodotus, and in works such as De Bello Gallico, Caesar’s account of the Roman campaigns in Gaul. Historical references, archaeological and linguistic evidence has been claimed from Ireland in the west to Turkey in the east, with landmark archaeological discoveries in France, Switzerland and Germany, in particular. However, from its inception the study of the Celtic past has been hotly disputed. The term ‘Celt’ has been questioned, or shrouded in various origin myths and legend.
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by Professor John Waddell, the author of the new book The Celtic World: A History. John discusses how our understanding of the Celts has developed, looking at the historical, archaeological and linguistic evidence, Celtoscepticism and whether there really was a ‘Celtic Ireland’, along with the politics of the past and present, and how the story of the Celts is told today.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie (and use the coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off).
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Celtic Ireland
Duration: 55 mins.
Summary:
In this episode we explore Celtic Ireland with Professor John Waddell
Celtic Ireland – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
What drew John into archaeology – 2 min 08 secs
Celtoscepticism and the great Celtic debate – 5 min 09 secs
When did the Celts appear in history? – 9 min 35 secs
When did people begin to consider Ireland as a Celtic nation? – 13 min 29 secs
What are some key archaeological discoveries that define the Celtic World – 16 min 07 secs
The linguistic evidence – 20 min 24 secs
How does the evidence of Celtic Ireland reflect or contrast with Britain the rest of the continent? – 23 min 02 secs
Celtic art in Ireland – 24 min 53 secs
Changing society in Late Bronze Age Ireland – 28 min 27 secs
Pagan belief in pre-Christian Ireland – 33 mins 12 secs
Celtic myth – 40 mins 40 secs
What John would like to see for the future of the study of Celtic Ireland – 45 mins 10 secs
Recommended places to experience Celtic Ireland – 46 mins 30 secs
Telling the story of Ireland’s past and the need to do more – 49 mins
Links to further information
I highly recommend John’s new book The Celtic World for a much deeper sense of the subject, and it’s beautifully illustrated too. You can order a copy online at the Four Courts Press website, or in good Irish bookshops, like Charlie Byrne’s.
I also highly recommend John’s recent books Pagan Ireland: Ritual and Belief in Another World, and Archaeology and Celtic Myth.
And of course the Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland is a truly monumental publication that is essential for anyone interested in Ireland’s prehistoric past. It has been regularly reprinted and updated and it is available from Wordwell here.
As John mentioned, there are places to visit to find connections with Celtic Ireland. The National Museum of Ireland is a great place to start, especially to see some of the iconic artefacts like the Broighter Collar, Loughnashade Trumpet, Petrie Crown and more. I also highly recommend the Rathcroghan Centre at Tulsk, Navan Fort Visitor Centre, and of course the Hill of Tara.
I hope you enjoyed the show. I’d be so grateful if you could leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
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Jessica Smyth, Neil Carlin & Susan Greaney
Kinship, Culture & Death in Neolithic Ireland
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Episode 46 with Dr Katharina Becker
Excavations at Rathgall Hillfort
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Episode 40 with Prof. Gabriel Cooney
Death in Irish Prehistory Part One
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The post Celtic Ireland Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
55 min
December 09, 2025Kinship Culture and Death in Neolithic Ireland Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Kinship, Culture and Death in Neolithic Ireland
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 50 with Dr Jessica Smyth, Dr Neil Carlin & Dr Susan Greaney
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil chats with Dr Jessica Smyth, Dr Neil Carlin and Dr Susan Greaney about their recent paper that discusses Neolithic society, kinship, ancient DNA, and how we understand and interpret the story of the past.
In recent years there have been a number of studies looking at Neolithic society. With the use of emerging techniques such as ancient DNA, some of the studies have interpreted aspects of society, with ideas of hierarchy and elites. However, while genetic studies are another lens that we can use to look at the past, it doesn’t give the full picture by itself. This has been examined in an important recent paper, Social and Genetic Relations in Neolithic Ireland: Re-evaluating Kinship by a collaborative team of researchers including Dr Neil Carlin, Dr Jessica Smyth, Dr Catherine Frieman, Prof. Daniela Hofmann, Prof. Penny Bickle, Dr Kerri Cleary, Dr Susan Greaney and Dr Rachel Pope.
In this episode, Neil was joined by three of the authors; Dr Neil Carlin, Dr Jessica Smyth and Dr Susan Greaney, for a wide ranging discussion that delves into the paper and what we know about the Neolithic period, the process of archaeology and how that has changed and developed, our understanding of megalithic tombs and their role, and a discussion about ancient DNA and genetics, and how the use of these techniques, when combined with archaeological approaches, can give us remarkable new insights into past societies.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Kinship, Culture and Death in Neolithic Ireland
Duration: 1 hour 35 mins.
Summary:
In this episode we take a deep dive into Neolithic society, ancient DNA, kinship, and how we interpret the past
Kinship, Culture and Death in Neolithic Ireland – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
What is it about the Neolithic period that captures the imagination? – 2 min 17 secs
An introduction to Neolithic Ireland – 4 min 50 secs
An archaeology of the archaeology – how our understanding of megalithic tombs has developed – 8 min 04 secs
What has recent excavations revealed about life in Neolithic Ireland? – 12 min 45 secs
Ireland’s megalithic tombs – 19 min 52 secs
How distinctive is the Neolithic in Ireland in comparison to Britain and Europe? – 25 min 17 secs
Our understanding and interpretation of megalithic tombs and Neolithic mortuary practice – 27 min 57 secs
Who gets to be buried in a megalithic tomb? – 41 min 50 secs
Genetics and interpreting the past – 55 min 02 secs
Further discussion on genetic evidence and what it tells us – 1 hour 07 mins 42 secs
Ancient DNA and its use in archaeology – 1 hour 14 mins 20 secs
The importance of using collaborative approaches to look at the past – 1 hour 20 mins 50 secs
Solstice Pigs! – 1 hour 25 mins
Links to further information
You can read the paper Social and Genetic Relations in Neolithic Ireland: Re-evaluating Kinship here.
You can delve further into the discussion in the paper The ‘king’ of Newgrange? A critical analysis of a Neolithic petrous fragment from the passage tomb chamber here.
And dig into the story of the solstice pigs that Neil discussed at the end in this paper: ‘Pigs, pannage, and the solstice: isotopic insights from prehistoric feasting at Newgrange’, available here.
I highly recommend Gabriel Cooney’s brilliant book, Death in Irish Prehistory for an overview of some of the topics we touched on, it’s available here.
And you can watch the livestream of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange here.
I hope you enjoyed the show. This marks our 50th episode of the podcast! I’d be so grateful if you could leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Or if you have an archaeological aficionado in your life, you can make Ireland’s past your present! Pick up a gift membership to Tuatha at our store. And use the coupon code amplify20 for 20% off your purchase.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 40 with Prof. Gabriel Cooney
Death in Irish Prehistory Part One
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Episode 41 with Dr Kerri Cleary
Excavations at Knowth
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Episode 35 from the Archives
A Newgrange Solstice
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1 hr 36 min
September 24, 2025Green Fort Archaeology Project Amplify Archaeology Podcast
The Green Fort Archaeology Project
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 49 with Dr Fiona Beglane
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil chats with Dr Fiona Beglane about the exciting recent excavation at the Green Fort in Sligo Town.
The Green Fort is a looming presence above Sligo Town. The origins of the site are thought to derive from the construction of a ringfort during the early medieval period, though this prominent and elevated site has long been seen as a strategic place. An artillery fort was established here around the time of the Nine Years War, though it has been adapted and altered over the centuries as the nature of warfare and conflict changed. Since falling out of use, it has remained a prominent landmark, and the local community have long been intrigued by the monument that forms such a part of the town’s landscape.
The story of the Green Fort has been examined in a recent excavation, led by Dr Fiona Beglane with Dr Marion Dowd of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in partnership with Sligo County Council and the US-based Institute for Field Research. Over 1,000 artefacts were recovered in this initial dig, that revealed evidence of the daily lives of those stationed in the fort, as well as hints of conflict and war.
In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by Fiona who describes the dig, the community engagement and the plans for the future of this fantastic fort!
The excavated lands at the Green Fort are owned by Sligo County Council. The Green Fort Archaeology Project greatly appreciate the cooperation and interest of Siobhán Ryan, Dorothy Clarke and Michael Condren, as the project could not have gone ahead without their support and hard work. We would also like to acknowledge the tireless work of the Green Fort Men’s Group and the Green Fort Working Group over the years in their efforts to bring wider recognition to the site. Cllr Declan Bree and Cllr Gino Boyle have also been hugely supportive of the project and we thank them for their input. We would also like to thank the committee of the Glenview Stars Football Club for the use of their changing rooms for storage and as a wet-weather shelter.
The images used on this page are courtesy of Donal Hackett, Dr Fiona Beglane, and ATU Sligo
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: The Green Fort Archaeology Project
Duration: 26 mins.
Summary:
In this episode, Dr Fiona Beglane discusses her exciting recent excavations at the Green Fort in Sligo Town.
The Green Fort Archaeology Project – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
Introduction to the Green Fort– 1 min 36 secs
What was known of the site prior to the project? – 2 min 42 secs
Were the Confederacy Wars a cause for refocus on the site?– 5 min 50 secs
The development of the fort – 7 min
The approach to the excavation – 9 min 45 secs
The discoveries – 13 min 37 secs
The potential for future work – 16 min 14 secs
What the artefacts revealed about the lived experience of people at the fort – 17 min 39 secs
What would a visitor to the fort see today? – 20 min 02 secs
The future plans – 22 mins 48 secs
Links to further information
You can find more information on the Green Fort Archaeology Project on the ATU website here.
And you can read about it in this press coverage by RTÉ here.
ATU Sligo have a number of flexible learning courses in archaeology. You can find out more here.
I hope you enjoyed the show, please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 44 with Christine Baker
Digging Drumanagh
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 42 with James Kyle
Community Archaeology at St Anne’s Park
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Episode 12 with Dr. Damian Shiels
Conflict Archaeology
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The post Green Fort Archaeology Project Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
27 min
August 27, 2025Excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 48 with Dr Michelle Comber
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil chats with Dr Michelle Comber about her exciting recent excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort in the Maree Peninsula of County Galway
The Maree Peninsula extends into Galway Bay south of the city, and north of the Burren. It is a place full of history, with monuments spanning millennia. The peninsula is the focus of an exciting new research project by the University of Galway with the Discovery Programme, the local community, and other partners. The study began with excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort, led by Dr Michelle Comber.
The dig discovered a complex story of continuity and change over centuries, along with evidence of contacts with the Roman world, along with Scotland, France, and Scandinavia. In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Michelle joined Neil for a chat about the exciting results of the dig, and what it might tell us about life in the past in this beautiful part of Ireland’s western coast.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort
Duration: 58 mins.
Summary:
In this episode, Dr Michelle Comber discusses her exciting recent excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort.
Excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
Introduction to the Maree Project – 1 min 50 secs
A discussion on the placename – 4 min 34 secs
The connection with ancient monuments in the past– 7 min 40 secs
An introduction to Rathgurreen Ringfort itself – 9 min 20 secs
Who was involved with the excavation? – 15 min 02 secs
The experience of digging at Rathgurreen – 17 min 30 secs
A discussion of the key findings– 18 min 47 secs
The earlier enclosure – 26 min 13 secs
The clearances of the site and the first ringfort – 27 min 02 secs
Trade and connections – 40 mins 03 secs
The excavation strategy – 46 mins 40 secs
What’s next and where to find out more – 53 mins 35 secs
Links to further information
You can find more information on the Maree Project on the University of Galway website here.
And they will be posting updates on the university archaeology department Facebook page here.
I had the chance to visit Michelle’s excavations at Caherconnell in the Burren in a previous episode of the podcast. You can dig into that here.
I hope you enjoyed the show, please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 38 with Dr Michelle Comber
Excavations at Caherconnell Fort
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 43 with Dr James O’Driscoll
Irish Hillforts
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 44 with Christine Baker
Digging Drumanagh
Amplify Archaeology
The post Excavations at Rathgurreen Ringfort Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
58 min
July 20, 2025Words on the Wave Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Words on the Wave
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 47 with Maeve Sikora & Matt Seaver
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil pays a visit to the National Museum of Ireland, where he chats with Maeve Sikora and Matthew Seaver about the momentous Words on the Wave exhibition.
The Words on the Wave exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland features precious manuscripts from the Abbey of St Gall, Switzerland — some returning to Ireland for the first time in 1000 years — alongside spectacular objects from the Irish world from which they emerged. And it tells the story of early Irish saints like Columbanus, Gall and the monks who travelled to the Alps and beyond.
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by by Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, and Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Antiquities and the principal curator of the Words on the Wave exhibition. Together, we dig into the story of the exhibition and how it all came about, as well as hearing about some of the incredible artefacts that are on display.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Words on the Wave
Duration: 55 mins.
Summary:
In this episode, we visit the National Museum of Ireland to see the momentous Words on the Wave exhibition.
Words on the Wave – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
The background to Words on the Wave – 2 min 16 secs
Introduction to the story of the early Irish monks and the manuscripts in St Gallen – 4 min 29 secs
What are the manuscripts about? – 12 min 14 secs
Did the process of curating the exhibition bring new opportunities for analysis and research? – 14 min 59 secs
The importance of collaboration and multidisciplinary work – 19 min 52 secs
The insights into the humanity of the scribes revealed by the manuscripts – 23 min 11 secs
The process of selecting the artefacts to illuminate the context of the manuscripts – 26 min 20 secs
The exhibition design – 29 min 37 secs
The Lough Kinale Book Shrine – 32 min 18 secs
The challenge of conservation – 35 mins
The Viking threat – 35 mins 51 secs
Did the process of connecting the manuscripts and objects all together reveal any new insights? – 39 mins 50 secs
The fantastic school project for Words on the Wave – 41 mins 18 secs
The question of repatriation – 45 mins 46 secs
Future plans for Words on the Wave – 47 mins 45 secs
Go and see Words on the Wave, it’s ending in October! – 49 mins 08 secs
Show notes and links to further information
I cannot recommend Words on the Wave enough. It is absolutely brilliant, moving and deeply inspirational. The artwork of the manuscripts, the story of the monks and the objects from their world all combine into something really special. It is one of the best exhibitions I’ve visited, and you only have until the end of October 2025 to see it. And it is absolutely free! So do take this once in a lifetime chance, and make your own peregrination to the past!
You can find lots of information on Words on the Wave in the National Museum website here.
And you can watch the wonderful school project on YouTube.
The exhibition catalogue is well worth picking up, it is full of detail not only about the artefacts and manuscripts, but the whole story. And it is a real bargain at just €20. Available from the National Museum shop, find out more here.
I had the opportunity to chat with Maeve and Matt on a previous episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, where we went into the role of the National Museum of Ireland and its collection. You can listen to that here.
As I mentioned, Dr Niamh Wycherley is the host of the Irish Medieval History Podcast, and she featured a two part episode on Words on the Wave, where they delve into detail on the history and significance. I highly recommend having a listen to that. You can find her podcast on Spotify.
I hope you enjoyed the show, please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 43 with Dr James O’Driscoll
Irish Hillforts
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 44 with Christine Baker
Digging Drumanagh
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 34 with Dr Michael Potterton
Moynagh Lough
Amplify Archaeology
The post Words on the Wave Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
55 min
April 12, 2025Excavations at Rathgall Hillfort Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Excavations at Rathgall Hillfort
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 46 with Dr Katharina Becker
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by Dr Katharina Becker to dig into the story of Rathgall Hillfort and the groundbreaking excavations by Professor Barry Raftery.
Located in the borderlands of County Wicklow and Carlow, Rathgall is one of the most well known of Ireland’s hillforts. The story of this truly monumental site was uncovered by Professor Barry Raftery over the course of a number of seasons of excavations in the late 1960s and 1970s. The digs revealed evidence of high status metalwork, cremation and burial, and how the site has been a place of significance for millennia. Although Professor Raftery published aspects of the site primarily in the 1970s, he sadly passed away before he could finalise a comprehensive account.
In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, I had the opportunity to dig into the story of Rathgall with Dr Katharina Becker, the co-author of a fantastic new Wordwell publication A Hillfort Through Time. This new book brings together all of Professor Raftery’s work, and maintains his thoughts and ideas about the site, skilfully augmented and recontextualized with contemporary evidence and theory.
As we chat, Katharina discusses the fascinating archaeological discoveries, and what Rathgall can tell us about Bronze Age Ireland, whether we can still call Rathgall a hillfort, and the incredible legacy of the late Professor Barry Raftery.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Round Towers
Duration: 68 mins.
Summary:
Dr Katharina Becker joins us in this episode to discuss Professor Barry Raftery’s excavations at Rathgall.
Excavations at Rathgall Hillfort – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
Introduction to Rathgall and its context – 1 min 50 secs
Professor Barry Raftery and his legacy in Irish archaeology – 3 min 05 secs
Was there much awareness about Rathgall amongst antiquarians? – 6 min 39 secs
Why did Barry choose to excavate at Rathgall? – 8 min 10 secs
How did the excavations begin and how were they funded? – 11 min 55 secs
The seasons at Rathgall – 13 min 30 secs
Was the plan to do multiple seasons there from the outset? – 16 min 05 secs
The earliest evidence at Rathgall – 17 min 28 secs
Bronze Age Rathgall – 18 min 57 secs
The ramparts – 22 mins 51 secs
Can we really call Rathgall a hillfort?– 31 mins 21 secs
Transformation through fire – metalworking and cremation – 32 mins 46 secs
Metalworking and production – 37 mins 30 secs
The astonishing gold-mounted glass bead and other items of personal dress – 37 mins 27 secs
Potential sources of gold for Bronze Age Ireland – 43 mins 07 secs
The Iron Age – 45 mins 28 secs
Early Medieval and Medieval Rathgall– 49 mins 30 secs
What is the significance of Rathgall? – 51 mins 32 secs
The importance of charcoal and environmental analysis – 57 mins 40 secs
What was the impetus for the book, and what was the process of working on it like? – 1 hour 1 min
Show notes and links to further information
I highly recommend the publication, A Hillfort Through Time: Excavations at Rathgall, Co. Wicklow by Barry Raftery and Katharina Becker. You can order it directly from the publisher Wordwell here.
It appears to be out of print now, but you can still find copies of Barry’s landmark book Pagan Celtic Ireland: The Enigma of the Irish Iron Age circulating out there. The terrible all-encompassing website named after a South American River might have it. But if you can, try your local bookshop or local library first.
Incidentally if you’d like to see something lovely, you can see an image of the incredible Milmorane Bead here that got a brief mention. It was found as part of a small hoard in a bog in County Cork. It really is special, and it is the only thing close to the gold mounted glass bead found at Rathgall. I always marvel at the intricate skill needed to work at that tiny scale.
I hope you enjoyed the show, please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 43 with Dr James O’Driscoll
Irish Hillforts
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 44 with Christine Baker
Digging Drumanagh
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 34 with Dr Michael Potterton
Moynagh Lough
Amplify Archaeology
The post Excavations at Rathgall Hillfort Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
1 hr 9 min
March 25, 2025Round Towers Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Round Towers
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 45 with Christiaan Corlett
Ireland’s round towers are one of the most distinctive features of our historic landscapes. But what do we know of these iconic structures, when do they date to, and who built them? In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by archaeologist Christiaan Corlett to dig into the story.
Ireland’s round towers are some of our most instantly recognisable reminders of our past. If you’ve ever visited the likes of the Rock of Cashel, Glendalough, Clonmacnoise – or even driven down the M8 motorway – you may have marvelled at these soaring structures.   But when were they built and why? Who commissioned them and how were they constructed? A fantastic new publication provides an insight into these iconic monuments. It’s by archaeologist Christiaan Corlett of the National Monuments Service, who joins Neil to discuss the potential origins, dating, and purpose of our round towers.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Round Towers
Duration: 54 mins.
Summary:
Archaeologist Christiaan Corlett joins us in this episode to discuss Ireland’s iconic round towers.
Round Towers – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
Introduction to round towers – 1 min 40 secs
How did people understand round towers across time? – 3 min 20 secs
Do we know which was the first built in Ireland? – 6 min 50 secs
Are they regional, are there any significant concentrations? – 11 min 20 secs
What were the reasons for building them? – 12 min 15 secs
Patronage, power and influence – 13 min 24 secs
How many do we have still standing, and how many have been lost? – 19 min 04 secs
The scarily shallow foundations of round towers! – 21 min 30 secs
Construction techniques – 24 min 20 secs
The high doorways – 27 mins 14 secs
More on the purpose of round towers– 27 mins 55 secs
The stone masons who constructed round towers – 32 mins 07 secs
Were round towers rendered? – 38 mins 30 secs
Decorated doorways and features – 40 mins 51 secs
Does Chris have a particular favourite? – 46 mins 30 secs
The restoration of round towers – 48 mins 40 secs
Recommendations of towers to visit– 51 mins 38 secs
Show notes and links to further information
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Chris’ book. Not only will it give you a good sense of these monuments, but it is beautifully illustrated with fantastic photographs throughout. You can pick up a copy online from the publisher here.
And you can find more books, images and other fantastic content from Chris on the Coles Lane Website.
I hope you enjoyed the show, please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 43 with Dr James O’Driscoll
Irish Hillforts
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 26 with Prof. Roger Stalley
Irish High Crosses
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 1; Conor MacDermott & Graeme Warren
Excavations at Glendalough
Amplify Archaeology
The post Round Towers Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
54 min
February 07, 2025Digging Drumanagh Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Digging Drumanagh
Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 44 with Christine Baker
Underneath the quiet fields on the headland of Drumanagh in North County Dublin, lies a truly exciting story. This headland is home to one of the most important promontory forts in Ireland, where an innovative community archaeology programme is uncovering connections between Iron Age Ireland and the Roman World. Lead archaeologist Christine Baker tells us all about it in this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast.
Located between the villages of Loughshinny and Rush in North County Dublin, the headland at Drumanagh is a prominent local landmark that has become a popular place for dog walkers and people seeking a good blast of fresh sea air. Its strategic aspect can clearly be seen in the early 19th century martello tower at the end of the promontory, but sharp-eyed visitors may well have noticed that the headland is underscored by earthworks and a deep ditch. A hint about a deeper, older story that lies beneath the surface. Over the last number of years, the Digging Drumanagh Project has sought to uncover that story. What they have revealed is transformative to our understanding of connections between Iron Age Ireland and the wider Roman world beyond.
Christine Baker is the Heritage Officer for Fingal County Council. Christine has long been a pioneer of community archaeology in Ireland. Along with the Digging Drumanagh, Christine has carried out a number of important public engagement excavations, surveys and projects, including excavations at Swords Castle, Climate Heritage X (that we had the pleasure of helping with). 2025 marks ten years of the Fingal Community Archaeology Programme, which is an incredible achievement. As community and public archaeology is something I am passionate about myself, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Christine about her experiences. I hope you enjoy the episode.
The Digging Drumanagh post-excavation process is ongoing. The archaeological director is Christine Baker, specialists Siobhan Duffy (Artefacts & Zooarchaeology), Alex Croom (Pottery), Prof. Meriel McClatchie (Archaeobotanical remains), Dr. Erin Crowley-Champoux (Molluscs) for sharing their initial findings. The on-site team includes Stephen Johnston, Dr John Sunderland, Dr Penny Johnston, Siobhan Duffy and Máiréad Ní Challanáin, as well as all the fantastic participants of Digging Drumanagh. The scheme is funded by Fingal County Council and supported by the Heritage Council. You can find out more on their website here. The images on this page are courtesy of Fingal County Council and the Digging Drumanagh Project.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Digging Drumanagh
Duration: 47 mins.
Summary:
Archaeologist Christine Baker joins us in this episode to discuss community archaeology and the fascinating excavations at Drumanagh that casts new light on the connections between Iron Age Ireland and the Roman World.
Digging Drumanagh – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes
Introduction to Drumanagh – location and what it’s like today – 1 min 26 secs
What are promontory forts? When do they date to? – 4 min 10 secs
The threat to promontory forts from climate change – 7 min 10 secs
What was known about Drumanagh before the project? – 8 min 55 secs
Did the later activity like the martello tower impact the earlier archaeology? – 12 min 40 secs
What does Drumanagh tell us about connections with Rome? – 13 min 24 secs
How did the council become involved with Drumanagh? – 15 min 45 secs
What were the original research questions and objectives for the Drumanagh project? – 18 min 35 secs
What did the project uncover? – 21 min 05 secs
The evidence for craft and industry at Drumanagh – 27 mins 20 secs
The famous fig – 31 mins 30 secs
The Fingal Community Archaeology Project – 37 mins 10 secs
The importance of community archaeology – 42 mins 10 secs
Show notes and links to further information
I highly recommend digging into the Fingal County Council website where you can find excavation reports, videos, information about how to take part and a whole lot more on the Drumanagh project. You can find that here.
Please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 33 with Dr Daniel Curley et al
Farming Rathcroghan
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 30 with the excavation team
Digging Dún Áilinne
Amplify Archaeology
Geraldine & Matthew Stout and Excavation Team
Excavations at Beaubec
Amplify Archaeology
The post Digging Drumanagh Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
48 min
November 27, 2024Irish Hillforts Amplify Archaeology Podcast
Irish Hillforts
Dig into the Story of Irish Hillforts in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 43 with Dr James O’Driscoll
Irish Hillforts are some of our largest monuments, though until recently they remained relatively enigmatic. In recent years Dr James O’Driscoll has started to uncover their story, he tells us all about it in this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast.
The name ‘hillfort’ is quite descriptive, as at first glance they appear as well, large forts on top of hills. Though the work of Dr James O’Driscoll and colleagues have revealed that they have a far more interesting and nuanced tale to tell. A programme of survey and excavation carried out by James, Prof. William O’Brien and colleagues discovered much about the nature and chronology of Irish hillforts, along with the types of activities that were carried out within them.
This discussion teases out the question of what is a hillfort, the types of landscape that they can be found in, their period and how that compares with similar monuments in the UK and elsewhere, and what they might tell us about territoriality, trade, culture and landscape in the past.
Dr James O’Driscoll lectures in the University of Glasgow. James’ primary research is focused on the application of remote sensing and GIS based techniques in archaeology, with particular emphasis on prehistoric enclosures and Bronze Age hillforts, their contemporary landscapes and socio-economic setting. James has co-authored two important books on the subject, Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland, and the recently published Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, an online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure at tuatha.ie.
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST
Title: Irish Hillforts
Duration: 1 hour 11 mins.
Summary:
In this fascinating discussion with Dr James O’Driscoll we discuss Irish hillforts in terms of period, place and what they can tell us about societies in the past.
Irish Hillforts – Key Discussion Points
Introduction to Irish Hillforts – 1 min
Where can you find hillforts? – 7 min 47 secs
Their association with political boundaries – 10 min 05 secs
What drew James to study hillforts – 15 min 25 secs
The study of hillforts that led to the publication of Hillforts, Warfare and Society – 18 min 20 secs
Neolithic hillforts – 24 min 14 secs
Introduction to the Baltinglass Complex – 28 min 50 secs
Why is the Baltinglass area so special? – 36 min 50 secs
Upland interactions and the use of hillforts – 40 min 20 secs
The inland promontory fort of Caherconree – 53 mins 27 secs
What should people picture when they are thinking of a hillfort – 1 hour 2 mins
What hillforts are good to visit? – 1 hour 4 mins
Show notes and links to further information
I highly recommend Baltinglass and the Prehistoric Hillforts of Ireland by James O’Driscoll, Alan Hawkes & William O’Brien, published by Wordwell. You can order online here.
And James’s earlier book Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland is available from Archaeopress here.
You can find a number of papers by James on Academia.edu here.
You can read more on the history and visitor experience at the Grianán of Aileach here.
You can read more on the history and visitor experience at Rathmichael Hillfort here.
Please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here.
Amplify Archaeology Podcast is also available on
Dig into more stories with Amplify Archaeology Podcast
We'd love it if you'd consider sharing this episode with a friend
Episode 35 from the Archives
A Newgrange Solstice
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 30 with the excavation team
Digging Dún Áilinne
Amplify Archaeology
Episode 8 with Dr. Patrick Gleeson
Excavations at the Rock of Cashel
Amplify Archaeology
The post Irish Hillforts Amplify Archaeology Podcast appeared first on Abarta Heritage Home.
1 hr 11 min