Archaeology & built heritage

Community Archaeologist

The Galway Community Archaeologist provides advice and support relating to archaeological monuments in the community. She is available to answer your queries on maintenance, preservation, education and promotion of our diverse range of archaeology which spans over ten thousand years. Now available to liaise with educators, community groups, farmers, individuals and custodians of Galway’s archaeological heritage.

Contact: Bernadette Doherty, Carra, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co. Galway

Mobile: 086 100 3888

Website: https://field-monuments.galwaycommunityheritage.org/ 

Email: g.c.archaeology@gmail.com

Facebook: Galway Community Archaeology

Galway Community Archaeologist

This section includes monuments, archaeological objects, wrecks, architectural heritage, heritage gardens and parks, heritage objects and inland waterways.

Archaeology: A definition

Archaeology is the study of past societies and cultures through an assessment of the material remains left by them and the evidence of their environment. It investigates their houses, settlements and tombs and everyday implements. It seeks to understand the landscape, vegetation and climate of previous times as they affected, and were affected by, past peoples.

Monument

Includes the following, whether above or below the surface of the ground or the water and whether affixed or not affixed to the ground:

• any artificial or partly artificial building, structure or erection or group of such buildings, structures or erections,
• any cave, stone or other natural product, whether or not forming part of the ground, that has been artificially carved, sculptured or worked upon or which (where it does not form part of the place where it is) appears to have been purposely put or arranged in position,
• any, or any part of any, prehistoric or ancient tomb, grave or burial deposit, or
  ritual, industrial or habitation site, and
• any place comprising the remains or traces of any such building, structure or erection, any such cave, stone or natural product or any such tomb, grave, burial deposit or ritual, industrial or habitation site, situated on land or in the territorial waters of the State, but does not include any building, or part of any building, that is habitually used for ecclesiastical purposes.

Wreck

A vessel, or part of a vessel, lying wrecked on, in or under the sea bed or, on or in land covered by water, and any objects contained in or on the vessel, and any objects that were formerly contained in or on a vessel and are lying on, in or under the sea bed or on or in land covered by water.

Architectural Heritage

All structures, building, tranditional and designed, and groups of buildings including streetscapes and urban vistas, which are of historical, archaeological, artistic, engineering, scientific, social or technical interest, together with their settings, attendant grounds, fixtures, fittings and contents, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, including railways and related buildings and structures and any place comprising the remains or traces of any such railway, building or structure.

Heritage Gardens & Parks

Areas of natural heritage, and gardens and parks whose plant collections, design, design features, buildings, setting, style or association are of significant scientific, botanical, aesthetic or historical interest or which illustrate some aspect of the development of gardening or of gardens and parks.

Inland Waterways

Canals, canalised sections of rivers and lakes, navigation channels in rivers and lakes, and their associated navigational features.