Carrig 850 Overview
October 2019 marks the 850th anniversary of the Carrick site in Co. Wexford. Built in the autumn and winter of 1169 by Robert Fitzstephen, one of the first knights to land at Bannow Bay, Carrick ringwork is the oldest Anglo-Norman fortification in the country and enjoyed a colourful and rich history through the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. The construction of the ringwork, at the start of the Anglo-Norman Invasion of Ireland, helped set in place a series of key historical events. Two years after Carrick’s construction Henry II visited Ireland, the first reigning English monarch to do so, commencing a constitutional relationship to the crown that resonates to the present day.
Despite Carrick’s historical significance, the site has passed in and out of public consciousness. Since 1987 it has been located in the Irish National Heritage Park, who partnered with the Irish Archaeology Field School in 2018 to carry out a major archaeological research programme – ‘Digging the Lost Town of Carrig’. A major aim of this project at its inception was to mark the 850th anniversary of the site, and the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, through a series of commemorative events culminating in this conference and the publication of a ‘Carrick Volume’. The conference draws together a panel of local, national and international archaeologists and historians to mark a foundational moment in Irish History. It is hoped both the conference and book will help bring Carrick’s importance into both the local consciousness and the realm of academic discourse, whilst also exploring and celebrating the impact and legacy of the Anglo-Normans in Wexford – where their first footsteps were taken!
Program
FRIDAY 18TH OCTOBER |
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration | |
09:30 – 09:45 | Welcome by Irish National Heritage Park | |
Morning Session | ||
09:45 – 11.15 | Carrick Experience/Age of Invasion Tour (Group A) – Sites 12-16 | Carrick Experience/Age of Invasion Tour (Group B) – Sites 12-16 |
11:15 – 11:45 | Coffee Break | |
11:45 – 13:30 | Afternoon Session | |
Session 1 – AV Room (Visitor Centre) | Session 2 – Classroom (Visitor Centre) | |
Michael Bodhi Rogers | Derek O’Brien (Dundry) | |
Stephen Mandal | Claire Breen | |
Madeleine Harris | Emmet Stafford | |
Fiona Beglane | Bernard Browne | |
13:30 – 14:30 | Lunch | |
14:30 – 16:00 | Evening Session | |
Session 1 – AV Room (Visitor Centre) | Session 2 – Classroom (Visitor Centre) | |
Michael Potterton | Christopher Hayes | |
Barry Lacey | Ran Boytner | |
Grace Dennis-Toone | Derek O’Brien (Crimea) | |
16:00 – 16:30 | Tea Break | |
Keynote and Book Launch | ||
16:30 – 17:30 | Keynote Lecture – Prof. Terry Barry | |
17:30 | Welcome Address by Carrig Committee followed by Book Launch and Wine Reception | |
18:30 | Conference Dinner in The Irish National Heritage Park (delegates must have pre-registered and paid for this event) |
SATURDAY 19TH OCTOBER |
09:00 – 09:30 | Registration | |||
09:30 – 11:30 | Archaeological Workshops | |||
Session 1 – Clare McCutcheon (AV room) | Session 2 – Fiona Beglane (Classroom) | Session 3 – Brendan O’Neill (Fulacht Fiadh – Site 11) | Session 4 – John Nicholls (Crannóg – Site 12) | |
11:00 – 11:30 | Tea | |||
11:30 – 13:00 | Archaeological Workshops | |||
Session 1 – Clare McCutcheon (AV room) | Session 2 – Brendan O’Neill (Fulacht Fiadh – Site 11) | Session 3 – Phil Parkes (Classroom) | Session 4 – Michael Ann Bevivino (Carrick Centre – Site 15) | |
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch | |||
14:00 – 15:30 | Archaeological Workshops | |||
Session 1 – Fiona Beglane (Classroom) | Session 2 – John Nicholls (Crannóg – Site 12) |
Session 3 – Phil Parkes (AV Room) | Session 4 – Michael Ann Bevivino (Carrick Centre – Site 15) | |
15:30 | Conference Close |
Cost and Registration
- Day one – €20
- Day two – €20
- Both days – €35
- Conference Dinner – €25 (Pre-registration is required)
Catering
Morning/Afternoon tea and coffee is provided on both days.
All attendees are welcome to attend the Conference Dinner on Friday 18th October in The Irish National Heritage Park, but must pre-register and pay in advance.
Conference Lunch Menus are available in The Irish National Heritage Park Restaurant at attendees own expense.
Venue
The Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, County Wexford, Ireland. Located in the South East of Ireland. The park is home to the Carrick Archaeological Site, and it also provides a unique backdrop for this one of a kind conference.
The Irish National Heritage Park is situated approximately 3 miles from Wexford Town off the Dublin (N11) Rosslare Road (N25).
Sat Nav: N: 52.348 W: -6.51673
Parking
Free parking is available at The Irish National Heritage Park Visitor Centre.
Getting Here – Public Transport to and from Wexford
Getting to Wexford from Dublin Airport and Dublin city: Expressway Bus or Wexford Bus. Both buses stop at Redmond Square/Wexford Train station.
Bus Eireann operate regular daily services to Dublin and Waterford.
Ardcavan Bus operate regular services to Dublin and Limerick.
Getting from Wexford to The Irish National Heritage Park: Wexford Bus run a bus every hour from Redmond Square outside McCauleys to The Irish National Heritage Park. Alternatively there is a taxi rank across from the train station.
Accommodation
Ferrycarrig Hotel: The 4 Star Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford, boasts one of the most inspiring locations of any hotel in Wexford or Ireland. Distance from The Irish National Heritage Park: 1.8 km – Drive 5 mins, Walk 24 mins. Visit their website here: Ferrycarrig Hotel
Maldron Hotel: Located in the heart of the South East, the Maldron Hotel in Wexford town is the ideal base for exploring this famous region and is a destination in its own right. Distance from The Irish National Heritage Park: 1.6 km – Drive 4 mins, Walk 22 mins – we do not recommend walking on a national route. Wexford Bus to INHP (Route 877) stops outside the Maldron Hotel. Visit their website here: Maldron Hotel Wexford
Whitford House Hotel: The 4 star Whitford House Hotel in Wexford combines old world charm with first class facilities. Distance from The Irish National Heritage Park: 3.6 km – Drive 6 mins, Walk 48 mins –
we do not recommend walking on a national route. Visit their website here: Whitford House Hotel Wexford
Clayton Whites Hotel: is one of Wexford’s leading 4-star hotels offering luxury accommodation in Wexford Town. Distance from The Irish National Heritage Park: 5.3 km – Drive 10 mins, Walk 1 hour. Wexford Bus to INHP (Route 877) stops in Redmond Square, Wexford (a few minutes walk from the Clayton Whites Hotel. Visit their website here: Clayton Whites Hotel Wexford
Talbot Hotel: The luxurious 4 star Talbot Hotel is ideally located in the Heart of Wexford Town. Distance from The Irish National Heritage Park: 6.6 km – Drive 14 mins, Walk 1 hour 15mins. Wexford Bus to INHP (Route 877) stops in Redmond Square, Wexford ( 15-20 minutes walk from the Talbot Hotel. Visit their website here: Talbot Hotel Wexford
More accommodation providers in and around Wexford town can be found on Visit Wexford.
Any further questions please contact info@irishheritageschool.ie