Conflict  Archaeology  in  the  Republic  of  Ireland

 

Damian  Shiels Rubicon  Heritage  Services  Ltd.

Irish  Conflict  Archaeology  Network Trinity  Long  Room  Hub,  28  May  2015

Overview

•  Conflict  Archaeology  in  Ireland •  Irish  BaNlefields  Project •  Finding  Conflict  Archaeology-­‐‑  Chance  Discoveries •  The  Value  of  Finds,  The  Value  of  Methodology •  International  Opportunities •  Missing  Opportunities:  The  Decade  of  Centenaries

Conflict  Archaeology  in  Ireland Ba#lefields •  Yellow  Ford,  Co.  Armagh  (1598) •  Kinsale,  Co.  Cork  (1601) •  The  Boyne,  Co.  Meath  (1690) •  Aughrim,  Co.  Galway  (1691) •  Vinegar  Hill,  Co.  Wexford  (1798)

Other   •  Martello  Towers/Bere  Island •  Loop  Head  ‘Eire’  Sign   •  Bud  Wolfe’s  Spitfire,  Gleneely •  Heather  Montgomery  WW1 •  Grey  Point  Fort,  Co.  Down •  Stephen’s  Green  &  Moore  Street  1916

Irish  BaNlefields  Project

Foulks  Mills,  1798

Chance  Discoveries

Personal  belongings

The  Value  of  Finds:  Aughrim,  Co.  Galway  (1691)

The  Finds Grenade  &  Lead  Shot

James  II  Gunmoney

Shoe  Buckle

Lutrell’s  Pass  Metal  Detection

The  Value  of  Finds:  Clogh  Oughter,  Co.  Cavan  (1653)  

The  Material

Matchlock  Sear

Snaphaunce  Pistol  Lockplate

Snaphaunce  Cock Musket  Barrel

Projected  Diameters Gun  Type Length PB  Range Crew Horses

Saker 8-­‐‑10  feet 360  yards 6 24

Demi  culverin

9-­‐‑13  feet 400  yards 7 36

Culverin 10-­‐‑13  feet 460  yards 8 50

Demi-­‐‑cannon 10-­‐‑12  feet -­‐‑ 16 60

16th  &  17th  Century  BaNlefields:  Pristine  Landscapes?  

Internationally  Significant  Landscapes

Internationally  Significant  Landscapes

Internationally  Significant  Landscapes

Earthsound  Electromagnetic  Survey

Decade  of  Commemorations:  Missing  Opportunities

Curragh  Camp,  Co.  Kildare

Curragh  Camp,  Co.  Kildare

Phoenix  Park,  Co.  Dublin

Ballquirke/Killeagh  Royal  Navy  Airship  Station

Killeagh  RNAS  (www.killeaghinch.ie)

Surviving  Elements

Surviving  Elements

The  Aghada  Base

USNAS  Base  Queenstown  (Treadwell:  America’s  First  Air  War)

The  Aghada  Base

A  Curtiss  H.16  enters  the  water  on  the  first  US  Navy  flight  from  Ireland  (Treadwell:  America’s  First  Air  War)

Surviving  Elements

Interacting  with  the  Landscape

Community  Engagement

Recording  &  Protection

Threats

Kilmichael  Ambush  Site,  Co.  Cork

Threats