Field School Courses

The Achill Archaeological Field School offers a broad range of high-quality courses in Irish archaeology ranging in length from three days to ten weeks. These all combine both academic and practical fieldwork components and include introductory courses, modular courses and advanced courses.

The main aim of the Field School is to provide first-class archaeology training courses for undergraduate and graduate students while at the same time investigating and promoting the heritage of Achill Island, County Mayo on the north west coast of Ireland.

At the core of our course programme are the 2-, 4- and 6-week Modular Courses which may be taken for Academic Credit from the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Our Trainee Supervisor Course qualifies for 3 semester hours of Academic Credit.

Experience island archaeology in the beautiful West of Ireland.

1-Week, 2-Weeks, 3-Weeks, 4-Weeks, 6-Weeks and 10-Weeks Courses offered.

In 2011, the Achill Archaeological Field School celebrated its 20th Anniversary. During those 20 years, we have been training and educating archaeologists in field and laboratory techniques, monument recognition, and the full scope of Irish archaeology.

Individuals trained in the Field School include over 2000 students from 30 different countries who have gone on to professional careers in archaeology and anthropology. The existence of the field school infrastructure, modern laboratory and dormitory premises, field and laboratory equipment, an extensive library, and the resident expertise in technical training make the Achill Field School the ideal institution to offer international institutions a selection of programme dealing with Irish archaeology and history.

The Achill Archaeological Field School is ideally placed, has extensive expereince and the necessary infrastructure to provide the best possible academic and technical training for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as being able to offer a variety of advanced and specialist courses.

The Achill Archaeological Field School is accorded Academic credits by NUI-Galway based on approved specific course modules for undergraduates.

Participate in the excavation and documentation of a variety of sites including multi-period archaeological sites and the ruins of a Deserted Village - and enjoy unforgettable personalised tours of the region's premier archaeological sites led by local experts.

5,000 years of human occupation on Slievemore Mountain continues to be the theme of the 2012 programme and will include field trips to the numerous prehistoric and historic sites in the area, backed up by lectures on archaeology, history, art and folklore of Achill Island.