Title: Peeling Back The Layers - Remote Sensing and Ritual Landscapes
Location: Rathcroghan Visitor Centre & Tulsk Inn, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. (53.778823,-8.253704)
Date: April 12th - 14th 2013
Details: The Rathcroghan Conference is part of the Rathcroghan Legacy Project, the aim of which is to develop a deeper connection between the Roscommon people and our rich ancestral heritage.
The north Roscommon regions of Rathcroghan, Carnfree and Tulsk have been studied intently over the years, through projects lead by John Waddell of NUI Galway, and the Discovery Programme - Ireland's archaeological research institute. The aim of the annual Rathcroghan Conference is to highlight the great work carried out by these groups, and to promote the continued research and study of Rathcroghan and other important Irish sites in light of new and exciting findings.
The focus of this year's conference will be twofold. Firstly we will look at new areas of research in the Rathcroghan region using analysis of LiDAR data by Kevin Barton and Dr. Ralf Hesse. This will be complimented by research by Susan Curran on LiDAR for the north Roscommon/Leitrim areas looking at medieval settlement. Keeping in the area of new research and use of technology in archaeology there will also be presentations on the 3D imaging and other projects by the Discovery Programme and a presentation on the Ogham in 3D project also. Both of these projects aim to preserve and further understand monuments by recording them in digital formats, while also making them available to a wider audience.
The second focus of the conference will examine the Ritual and Royal associations at Rathcroghan and other important sites as well as looking at the vast medieval literature accompanying these monuments. Ruairí Ó hUiginn, NUI Maynooth, will discuss the Connacht connections of the medieval scribe H, whom worked on Lebor na hÚidre (Book of the Dun Cow) the oldest manuscript which was written entirely in the Irish language and contains the earliest version of the Táin Bó Cuailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). A number of presentations will look at the legacy of the Táin story and the archaeology connected with characters that make up this and other tales of the Ulster Cycle. Eamonn (Ned) Kelly will also present an interesting lecture on Kingship and Sacrifice in the Iron Age, based on the research carried out for the National Museums excellent exhibition on Irish bog bodies.
Contact: Gary Dempsey - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.