BURREN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCHOOL ATTRACTS SIGNIFICANT NORTH AMERICAN INTEREST Return to index of articles

News Release -

BURREN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SCHOOL ATTRACTS SIGNIFICANT NORTH AMERICAN INTEREST

The Burren landscape of Co.Clare has huge archaeological potential which could benefit the local hospitality and tourism industry in the area. This Summer over sixty applications were received within a month of advertising the new Caherconnell Archaeological Field School,with significant interest from university students based in North America. The Field School , located on lands owned by the Davoren family, will run from August 16^th to 27^th, Monday to Friday, and will cater for a maximum of 20 students.

Welcoming the initiative Siobhan King, Shannon Development Tourism Officer for Co. Clare said: “This is a wonderful new initiative which combines tourism and learning and will be a great asset to the tourism offering in this beautiful and fascinating area of Co. Clare. The Davoren family are to be commended on this unique initiative, and Shannon Development will continue to promote Caherconnell Stone Fort as one of North Clare’s key visitor attractions.”

The Caherconnell Archaeological Project began in 2007 with an excavation within the large cashel of Caherconnell located in the central Burren area of North Clare. The following year, a second excavation was undertaken, this time focused on a mediaeval structure outside the cashel and in 2009 a third excavation concentrated on a prehistoric settlement and ritual site. The three excavations were voluntary operations, co-directed by Dr. Michelle Comber of NUI, Galway and Graham Hull, director of TVAS Ireland Ltd, an archaeological consultancy company based in Crusheen, Co. Clare.

With no source of funding for the excavations, equipment and lab facilities were provided free of charge by TVAS Ireland and conservation costs covered by the landowner, Mr. John Davoren, a dairy farmer with a huge interest in, and enthusiasm for, the archaeology of the Burren. Following the 2007 excavation it was decided that the establishment of an archaeological field school was the only way to secure future funding and to ensure the continuation of work at Caherconnell and surrounding sites. Planning for the Field School began at this stage.

The Caherconnell Archaeological Field School is a truly co-operative effort involving the local community, academia, and the archaeological consultancy sector. Dr. Michelle Comber and Graham Hull are Joint Archaeological Directors of the School, John Davoren has been appointed Business Manager and Sean Davoren (the landowner’s son) is the School’s Administrator. Kilfenora Hostel will provide accommodation for the visiting students, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy.

The 2010 excavation will target the entrance to the large cashel called Caherconnell, and all visitors to the site are welcome to view the excavations. The Caherconnell Archaeological Field School plans to grow from this initial training experience and to offer a variety of courses from Spring to Autumn every year. For further information contact: John Davoren – tel. 065 708 9999 or email: john@burrenforts.ie

Field School Directors: Dr. Michelle Comber and Graham Hull

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For further information please contact:

Nandi O’Sullivan
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Tel: +353 61 710259
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Fax: 061 363180
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