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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Open Day 2008

The Discovery Programme’s fourth Open Day at the site of its primary archaeological excavations in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, will be held on Thursday 24th July from 2pm to 5pm.
Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre is delighted to host Ireland’s archaeological research institute’s annual event, and help with the organization of free guided tours and access to the centre and the excavation site at Tulsk Fort.

The Discovery Programme’s work, funded by the Heritage Council, has been examining the nature of Gaelic Lordship and settlement; focussing since 2003 on the history and development of Tulsk, as a principal residence of the O’Conor Rua lords.

Their 2008 season has exposed a series of critical strata that now more fully than ever explain the dating and development of the site. This year’s work has uncovered the ring fort that underlies the medieval tower. This summer’s work has also shown that the tower was built in 3 main phases, with the earliest phase being a stout blocky squared building whose walls were 9ft thick.

On Thursday 24th, the team will be leading guided tours to the public around the excavated features, which will begin from the Cruachan Aí Centre every 45 minutes. There will also be displays of the artefacts and environmental remains which have been found.

Families, groups, and individual visitors are all very welcome. This is a free event. There will be quizzes and games for kids, and a wine reception afterwards. Please be sure to bring appropriate weather gear, in case we have a little rain on the day.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Learning Irish The Easy Way

Are you interested in learning the basics of spoken Irish?

If so call along to the Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre on Wednesdays between 1pm and 2pm, where Mary Carr will be here to teach the basics of spoken Irish.

You do not need to say anything whilst there you can just listen and take in the beauty of the language and who knows after a few weeks you may find yourself recognising words and you might even feel comfortable with the spoken word yourself.

See you there.

Discovery Programme, Week 5

So here we are on week five of the dig.

The discovery programme guys are up in Dublin presenting papers at the world archaeology conference and the mound is breathing a sigh of relief (but not for long) as next week sees the commencement of the second session.

Session one has uncovered yet more areas of interest including a grain drying kiln, an area covered with slag from metalworking, a potential boundary from an early christian ring fort and portions of a large decorated rotary quern stone.

If you are interested in seeing the dig in action you are most welcome to call into the Cruachan Ai visitors centre. If you would like a full run down on the dig then call over on the 24th of July.

This is the open day when tours will be taking place from 2pm. It is a great opportunity to get a full explanation of the work being carried out and the further aims of the Discovery Programme.

To all the volunteers from session one, thanks a million for your help and dedication. A sense of humour is essential when the rain is spilling from the heavens and you guys certainly made me laugh (keep singing the song Sydney).

I will endeavour to get some photos uploaded in the next few days so keep tuning in for updates.


Mike Croghan