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Research & Excavations
The Archaeology of Achill Island and the Corraun peninsula spans the period from the Neolithic (c.3,500 BC ) to the Post Medieval (c. 1900 A.D.)
The extensive archaeology includes a diverse range of sites from Megalithic Tombs, Bronze Age Roundhouses, Stone Cashels and a Crannog, Promontory Forts, Early Medieval sites, Deserted Villages and Transhumance sites, some of which have been the subject of research by the Achill Archaeology Field School over the past 20 years.
Current research involves a study of Bronze Age Roundhouses in Slievemore and a Transhumance Village in Annagh, north west of Slievemore.
Excavations during 2010 and 2011 in Slievemore concentrated on a group of Bronze Age Roundhouse, associated prehistoric field walls and a number of hut sites. |
Bronze Age Roundhouse on Slievemore Mountain |
Roundhouse 2 Summary
Roundhouse 2 is a large and complex building located on the Southern side of Slievemore approximately 50m east of the very similar Roundhouse 1 that was excavated between 2006 and 2008. Excavations by Achill Field School began at Roundhouse 2 in 2009 when four trenches were... |
The Achill Archaeological Field School was founded in 1991 as a Training School for students of archaeology and anthropology and to help identify, preserve, protect and promote the archaeology of Achill Island, nationally and internationally.
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Slievemore Mountain
Neolithic activity going back over 5000 years is demonstrated by the remains of a series megalithic tombs situated on the southern and eastern slopes of Slievemore in the townlands of Dugort West, and Keel East. Division of the landscape and possible agricultural activity during... |
In 2011, excavations were undertaken at a number of Bronze Age Field walls, that appear to be assocaietd with the previously excavated Middle Bronze Age Round Houses. Excavations were also undertaken of two Hut sites, situated on a level platform some 500 metres downslope from the Roundhouses, on the... |