Welcome to the Amplify Archaeology Podcast! We will feature a series of interviews with a number of Ireland’s archaeologists and specialists, to discuss the key periods in Ireland’s past, the different types of sites and artefacts and how people lived in the past.  We also hope to give an insight into the profession and practice of archaeology, and the various techniques and scientific methods that help to build the picture of Ireland’s history.

You can find more at https://www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify-archaeology-podcast/ also available on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

Amplify Archaeology Podcast

Amplify Archaeology is a new podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 1 Glendalough Abarta Heritage

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past. In this episode we discover the story of some of Ireland's earliest inhabitants during the Mesolithic Period with Professor Graeme Warren.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 2 Mesolithic Ireland Abarta Heritage

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past. In this episode we explore Ireland's castles with Professor Tadhg O'Keeffe

Amplify Archaeology Episode 3 Castles With Tadgh O'Keeffe

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past. In this episode we explore Ireland's passage tombs with Dr Jessica Smyth.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 4 Passage Tombs With Jessica Smyth Abarta Heritage

The History of the Irish Diet in Plants – An Educational Show Garden at Bloom 2019 

We’re always interested in food [perhaps a little too interested at times] and we were delighted to hear of this really innovative way of showcasing the changing nature of Irish diets. This show garden at Bloom demonstrates a selection of key food plants from Ireland’s past. All the plants are based on archaeological evidence and seeing, smelling and touching the plants helps you to gain a tangible glimpse into the changing nature of diet from the earliest settlers in Ireland to the present day. The gardens are accompanied by wonderful reconstruction images by artists that visually represent the evidence and allow us to picture what life was like in the past.

This is the latest episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast by Abarta Heritage. For more episodes, shownotes and to learn more about Irish archaeology please visit our website https://www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify-archaeology-podcast/

Amplify Archaeology Episode 5 Archaeology In Bloom

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past. In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast we meet the Beaker People! Neil had the opportunity to discuss the 'Beaker Period' with Dr. Neil Carlin of UCD School of Archaeology.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 6 Neil Carlin On The Beaker People

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past. 

This episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast features a group discussion with  Doctors Thomas Kador, Lara Cassidy, Jonny Geber, Robert Hensey, Pádraig Meehan and Sam Moore to learn about life, death, and mortuary practice at Carrowkeel.

Please be advised, some of the discussion is focused on the treatment of the dead at Carrowkeel and it is rather graphic in nature. Listener discretion is advised.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 7 Carrowkeel

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

In this edition of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast Neil visited the Rock of Cashel where he chatted with Patrick to learn more about this important project, and how the results of the excavation help us to better understand this iconic site. This podcast was recorded quite literally in the field, so there will be a bit of background noise – a little wind and a lot of heckling sheep!

Amplify Archaeology Episode 8 Cashel Of The Kings

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

Historical re-enactments and living history are a popular way for engaging the public with the story of past cultures. Whether it is demonstrations of battles and warfare, food, costume or crafts, the process of living history can allow people to gain a real and tangible sense of what life was like in the past. Ireland is fortunate to have a number of living history societies and organisations, and one of the largest, Déise Medieval were integral to the Viking Heritage Day Heritage Week event at Woodstown, on the outskirts of Waterford City. In this episode of Amplify Archaeology, we took the opportunity to chat with some of the re-enactors to discover how they got involved in living history and how its shaped their view of the past.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 9 Living in the Past

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

Kilkenny Castle is surely one of the most familiar heritage sites in Ireland. The castle is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, who enjoy the beautiful parklands and the grandeur of this former home of the Butler family. However, the castle that we know so well today is largely the result of centuries of development and renovation as each generation sought to tailor Kilkenny Castle to suit their needs.

An exciting excavation led by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, and his team from Kilkenny Archaeology, has uncovered the fourth wing of the castle allowing us new glimpses into the story of this iconic site. As well as a better understanding of the construction of the castle, Cóilín and his team have discovered wonderful range of artefacts, including medieval pottery and a medieval harp tuning peg. The story of conflict at the castle has also been revealed with a number of musket balls associated with Cromwell’s siege of the castle in 1650. In this edition of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast Neil visited the excavations to have a trench-side chat with Cóilín, who told us all about the remarkable history of Kilkenny Castle and the new discoveries made during the dig.

For images and more information please visit:https://www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify-archaeology-podcast-episode-10-the-lost-wing-of-kilkenny-castle/

Amplify Archaeology Episode 10 The Lost Wing Of Kilkenny Castle

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

New techniques in digital heritage recording are helping us to gain new insights into archaeological sites, features and artefacts. Digital Heritage is the process of digitally documenting heritage and culture. It focuses on finding the best best method of digitally recording a heritage site or artefact while presenting it to the public in an accessible way. In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil had the opportunity to chat with Orla Power and Gary Dempsey of Digital Heritage Age who are helping to pioneer these new methods in Ireland.

For images and more information please visit: https://www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify-archaeology-podcast-episode-11-digital-heritage-and-sheela-na-gig-3d/

Amplify Archaeology Episode 11 Digital Heritage

Battles such as Clontarf (1014), Kinsale (1601), the Boyne (1690), Aughrim (1691), Vinegar Hill (1798) and the Easter Rising (1916), have been crucial turning points in Irish history. But how much do we know about the physical locations where these conflicts took place? How can we understand the landscapes of conflict? And why are these places, so critical to the shaping of the nation, at real risk of being lost or destroyed? In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast we hear from Damian Shiels who discusses some of these important issues. Damian is an archaeologist and historian with a particular interest in conflict archaeology and the story of the Irish diaspora. Damian is also the author of the fantastic Irish in the American Civil War website and the Forgotten Irish Podcast. For more information, show notes and images for this episode please visit:
https://www.abartaheritage.ie/amplify-archaeology-podcast-episode-12-conflict-archaeology/

Amplify Archaeology is a podcast by Abarta Heritage that seeks to, well, amplify archaeology in Ireland. We'll be meeting some of Ireland's top archaeologists and experts to discuss the key periods, places and artefacts. We'll also discuss the techniques and practice of Irish archaeology today, and how archaeologists go about telling the story of Ireland's past.

Amplify Archaeology Episode 12 Conflict Archaeology

Ogham with Dr. Nora White

Ogham stones are some of the most iconic symbols of Ireland’s heritage. The stones bear inscriptions in the Irish Ogham alphabet, using a system of notches and horizontal or diagonal lines/scores to represent the sounds of an early form of the Irish language. The stones are often inscribed with the names of prominent people and sometimes tribal affiliation or geographical areas. These inscriptions constitute the earliest recorded form of Irish and, as our earliest written records dating back at least as far as the 5th century AD, are a significant resource for historians, as well as linguists and archaeologists.

In some ways, ogham is one of the more familiar features of our past – you can see it incorporated into modern artworks, tattoos, keepsakes and even a new ogham trail in County Wicklow – but what are the origins of ogham, where did it first appear and why is it more prevalent in some counties than others?

In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Nora White about ogham and its origins. Discover the full story with images and shownotes at
https://www.abartaheritage.ie/ogham-amplify-archaeology-podcast-episode-13/

Ogham With Dr Nora White Amplify Archaeology Episode 13

Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 14 – The National Museum of Ireland.

Behind the scenes at one of Ireland's most important cultural institutions! In this episode Neil visits the National Museum of Ireland for a conversation with the Keeper of Irish Antiquities Maeve Sikora and the Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities Matthew Seaver. We discuss the background to the National Museum, its role as a national institution and the key challenges that the museum faces. We examine some of the threats to our archaeological heritage, and find out what to do if you come across an archaeological object. We also discuss the process of curation – how you go about putting an exhibition together and how to choose what goes on display and what stays in storage.

The National Museum Of Ireland With Maeve Sikora And Matthew Seaver Amplify Archaeology Episode 14

This is the first episode of a miniseries focusing on Newgrange. In this edition Neil was joined by Professor Muiris O’Sullivan, one of the legends of Irish archaeology. Muiris has spent a lifetime studying and writing about Irish archaeology. He has a particular interest in megalithic art, and in the podcast we discuss many aspects of Newgrange, the people who built it, and its meaning today. We also discuss Knockroe Passage Tomb in County Kilkenny, another monument that shares a mid-winter solstice alignment, and that Muiris excavated in the 1990s.

15 Amplify Archaeology Newgrange Part 1 Muiris O Sullivan

This is the second episode of a miniseries focusing on Newgrange. In this edition I was joined by Dr Jessica Smyth of UCD School of Archaeology.  We discussed Jessica’s exciting project Passage Tomb People, her first impressions of Newgrange and how that has changed over the years, daily life in Neolithic Ireland, prehistoric landscapes and the value of archives.

16 Amplify Archaeology Podcast Newgrange Jessica Smyth

This is the third episode of a miniseries focusing on Newgrange. In this edition Neil was joined by Clare Tuffy of the Office of Public Works. Clare has worked at Newgrange for over 30 years, and we discuss her incredible experience at the site and how Newgrange has changed over the years, what it’s like to manage a World Heritage Site, and the magic of the Winter Solstice at Newgrange.

17 The Winter Solstice At Newgrange With Clare Tuffy – Amplify Archaeology Podcast

Newgrange: Light at the End of the Tunnel. An #AmplifyArchaeology Podcast Miniseries Part 4.

In this edition Neil was joined by Dr Robert Hensey, author of the excellent book: First Light: The Origins of Newgrange. We had a wide ranging discussion about the concept of time, the process of understanding, megalithic art, light and darkness, communication across time and space and what the celebrations at Newgrange might have been like.
https://www.abartaheritage.ie/first-light-at-newgrange-with-robert-hensey/

The Winter Solstice at Newgrange with Dr. Robert Hensey - Amplify Archaeology Podcast

This is the final episode of a miniseries focusing on Newgrange. In this edition Neil was joined by Professor Gabriel Cooney, one of Ireland’s foremost experts on the Neolithic and chairperson of the Research Committee of the Bru na Boinne World Heritage Site. In the podcast we discuss many aspects of Newgrange and the winter solstice, along with its landscape context, Neolithic society in Ireland and what Newgrange can tell us about the connections between Ireland and Europe.

This is the final episode of a five part series on Newgrange and the Winter Solstice.
https://www.abartaheritage.ie/newgrange-winter-solstice-with-gabriel-cooney-amplify-archaeology-podcast/

Newgrange And The Landscapes Of Neolithic Ireland With Gabriel Cooney - Amplify Archaeology Podcast

Archaeological sites in wetlands vary from wooden trackways, platforms and bridges, to fish traps and fulachta fiadh. One of the defining characteristics of wetland sites is the high quality preservation of organic remains, including human remains as we see so poignantly in the case of ‘bog bodies’. In a sense, the bogs also act as environmental time capsules, as they preserve important palaeoenvironmental material such as botanical and animal remains, and microfossils like pollen. The process of wetland archaeology allows us to investigate and reconstruct past people’s landscapes, culture, and lives in sometimes astonishing detail.

However, this remarkable archaeology has long been threatened and often destroyed by industrial peat extraction. Now that plans are afoot to stop peat harvesting and rewet, rehabilitate and repurpose the bogs, our wetland archaeology faces new challenges.

For this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil was joined for a Zoom chat with Cathy Moore, expert in wetland archaeology and wooden artefacts and Dr. Ben Gearey, lecturer in environmental archaeology at UCC.

Find show notes, links and hear the full story on the Abarta Heritage website
https://www.abartaheritage.ie/wetland-archaeology-amplify-archaeology-podcast-episode-20/

Wetland Archaeology With Cathy Moore And Ben Gearey – Amplify Archaeology Podcast

At Abarta Heritage, we try to tell the story of Ireland through our informative and immersive audioguides, audiobooks and podcasts. 

Our professionally narrated guides are packed with facts and information but are also full of music and sound effects to help immerse you in the story.

We have guides for all over Ireland, and they can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home or at the site. So hit play and let us whisk you off to Ireland's past!