FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you provide financial assistance for people wishing to attend the Field School?
At the present time we cannot offer any help with the payment of course fees or with transport costs to Achill.

How soon do I have to pay my booking fee?
The 2008 Field School was heavily booked.  We recommended that you send your booking form as early as possible to help guarantee your place at the field school.

Modules 1 & 3: Your booking form and booking fee (50% of total fees) for these modules should be sent to the Field School by the end of March 2009. Full fees must be paid by April 2009.  Late enrolments (if places are available) will be accepted until the end of April 2009.  Bookings can be made on-line at our website.

Modules 2 & 4 Your booking form and booking fee (50% of total fees) for for these modules should be sent to the Field School by the end of May 2009   Full fees should be paid by June 2009.  Late enrolments (if places are available) will be accepted until the end of June 2009.

When can I arrive at the Field School?
You should try to arrive at the Field School the Saturday preceeding your commencement date.

Is it possible to travel to Westport from Achill?
Yes, there is a daily bus from Dooagh to Westport and Castlebar.

What type of clothing should I bring?     
Each student should be equipped with wind & water-proof clothing (pants & jacket), together with strong hiking boots which they will find invaluable on site and on the weekly field trip, which often involves long distance 'hikes' over wet and rough mountain terrain.
Also we do get some midges here on the island so it would be advisable to bring some insect repellent! 

Is there a grocery shop near the Field School?     
Yes, there is a well stocked shop in Dooagh village. There is a larger grocery store in Achill Sound, which is approximately 10 miles from the school.

Is there a bank available on Achill Island?     
Achill Island is served by mobile banks three days a week. However, these banks visit the island during the Field School hours and will not be accessible to the students. We suggest that you bring a Credit Card and arrive with sufficient cash for initial purchases on the island. There are two ATM's on the island, but they are quite a distance from Dooagh and often inoperable. Card payment facilities are available from a number of businesses in Dooagh.

Is there a Church on Achill Island?
There is a Catholic Church in Pollagh - a 10 minute walk from the centre and a Church of Ireland in Dugort, some 4 miles distant from the Centre

 Is computer / internet access available at the Field School?     
Yes, however, a small fee will be charged to cover the cost of internet useage as we do not have Broadband

What type of accommodation is provided for students participating in the Summer Field School?     
Students participating in the Field School stay in superior accommodation at the field school house/s with ensuite and self-catering facilities. Electricity, heating, bed linen and laundry facilities are included in the course fees. Towels or food are not included. See our accommodation page for more information. 
 
How do I get to the Field School?     
If you fly in to Dublin, you should get the train from Heuston Station in Dublin to Westport, then you should get the bus from Westport to the Achill Folklife Centre in Dooagh, Achill Island. If you fly in to Shannon, you should get a bus from the airport to Galway which will connect with a bus to Westport, then you should get a bus to the Achill Folklife Centre in Dooagh. Contact details for train & bus schedules are available on our location page. If you need further help with your travel arrangements, please contact us. The School Bus will collect students from Westport Railway Station by prior arrangement.

Do you accept volunteers?     
Only volunteers with the relevant experience will be accepted. Priority will be given to former students of the field school.
When we advertise for volunteers a list of requirements will be posted on our vacancies page.
Former and new students who are interested in doing research projects on Achill Island will be provided with every assistance by the field school e.g. use of library and other facilities.
 
Is participation on the 1 Day and 3 Day Tours compulsory?     
No it is not compulsory but the Tours are an excellent way to see nearly half of Ireland plus a range of premier archaeological sites, at a relatively low cost. 

Will the academic credits transfer to my College or University?     
Yes, we have not encountered any problems with the transfer of credits. However, to be on the safe side, you should confirm this with your college. If there is a problem we will do all we can to solve it. For your convenience we have created a list of colleges and universities (see below) to which credits have been successfully transferred.

Australia - University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland

Canada
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
University of Toronto (St. Michaels College), Toronto, ON

Germany - Universität Potsdam, Potsdam

Norway - University of Oslo, Blindem, Oslo

Sweden - University of Lund, Lund

USA
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Ball State University, Muncie, IN
Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Pomona, CA
Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
Central Connecticut State University, , CT
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Connecticut College, New London, CT
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
Eastern Oregon University, La Grande, OR
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA
George Washington University, Washington, DC
Humbolt State University, Arcata, CA
Kansas University, Lawrence, KS
Kenyon College, Gambier, OH
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
New York University, New York, NY
Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA
Rice University, Houston, TX
Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN
Saybrook College, New Haven, CT
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY
SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY
University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
University of California - Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
University of California - Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
University of California - San Diego,
University of Colorado - Boulder, Boulder, CO
University of Colorado - Denver, Denver, CO
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
University of Houston - Clear Lake, Houston, TX
University of Illinois - Chicago, Chicago, IL
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin - Madison

University of Maryland, , MD

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
University of New Mexico - Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Texas, Denton, TX
University of Pennsylvania, Philidelphia, PA
University of Pittsburgh, New Wilmington, PA
University of Pittsburgh - Bradford, Bradford, PA
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
University of Tennessee - Chatanooga, Chattanooga, TN
University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Knoxville, TN
University of Texas - Austin, Austin, TX
University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

How do I enrol for credits? 
This will be taken care of on your arrival at the Achill Folklife Centre.

Is there a minimum age / age limit on students wishing to participate?     
We normally ask that participants are at least 18 years of age. However, we have been known to make exceptions for mature people under the age of 18. There is no upper-age limit but people should be aware that it is quite strenuous work and participants should be physically fit. Please contact us if you are unsure whether you would be eligible to participate. 

I have no archaeological experience, can I still participate in the Field School?   
Yes, prior experience is not necessary to participate in the Field School - archaeological methods are taught on site. 

Do I have to be doing a degree in Archaeology / Anthropology to participate in the Field School?     
No, we welcome people from all walks of life as long as they have an interest in Archaeology and are physically fit. 

How do I book one of your courses?     
Please go to our bookings page to find out more about booking one of our courses.
Places are limited so early booking is advised.
Bookings can be made at our on-line store, by credit card or personal cheque.
You can also download a booking form from our Home Page.
 
Who do I make my cheque payable to?     
Please make cheques payable to 'Achill Folklife Centre'

What are the contact details of the Achill Archaeological Field School?     
Please see our contacts page!
Main contact is: info@achil-fieldschool.com