The Monastic Midlands Summer Excavation Field Schools

The programs examine the geological and glacial processes that shaped the landscape in which the early saints founded their monasteries. They will then apply a range of archaeological survey techniques to interpret the sites they left behind, recording the structures, architectural fragments and grave slabs that continue to survive at the monasteries.

The programs will also provide osteoarchaeological training, through simulated excavations, and a basic introduction to archaeological laboratory techniques.

Our brand new ‘anchor-site’ for 2024 is Clonoghil Castle on the outskirts of Birr Town.

Don’t forget that registration does not guarantee acceptance to the program, which is contingent on a reference check. So, be sure to contact your referee when completing your registration to the program.

Cancellations: Please visit our partners, the Institute for Field Research (IFR) website, for their cancellation policy.

If you have any queries or concerns, please contact us.

Overall, the courses are especially suited to students interested in medieval or ecclesiastical history or those hoping to pursue a career in Cultural Resource Management (CRM), teaching as it does several core CRM survey and analytical skills alongside the live excavation at Clonoghil Castle (see the brochure for more details, or our Sketchfab account for the 3D models of the our excavation site!).

Equally the monastic midlands summer programs are excellently suited to students with an interest in public archaeology, as it is run specifically to assist local communities in County Offaly to better understand and protect their local sites.

As the project responds to community requests content varies a little seasonally but typically includes total station and/or GPS survey, graveyard recording, architectural survey and site analyses, photogrammetry, geophysical survey and excavation skills.

Previously referred to as a ‘flowering garden of monasteries’, County Offaly is best known archaeologically for the number and scale of the early medieval monasteries, which to this day continue to dominate the landscape – several of which, such as Seir Kieran, Lemanaghan and St Brendan’s, are assessed as part of these programs.

Between the fifth and seventh centuries AD evangelist monks arrived in what is now County Offaly, attracted by the region’s centrality and its proximity to four of the five medieval provincial boundaries.  Of course, people had lived in the midlands for millennia before these missionaries arrived, so the archaeological landscape the missionaries entered is also of critical importance to understanding their placement.

The Monastic Midlands summer field schools are based in the heritage town of Birr, a handsome and charming town, which was the location at which St Brendan founded his c. sixth century monastery. So our campus in Birr serves as a base for all our course teaching and lab-work, but also acts as a launching pad to investigate several regional monastic and later medieval sites.

You will be staying with local families in Homestay Accommodation in Birr, these programs also offers a deeply enriching cultural immersion, guaranteeing students a truly memorable experience.