Achill Archaeological Field School

Overview

The Achill Archaeological Field School (AAFS) sits on the rugged Wild Atlantic Way in Dooagh, on Achill Island, County Mayo. Founded in 1991, it is Ireland’s longest‑running field school and a hub for students, researchers and curious visitors who want to explore more than 5,000 years of human settlement on a dramatic Atlantic landscape. The school operates from a purpose‑built campus at the Achill Folklife Centre where accommodation, classrooms, a small exhibition space and a modern laboratory are all under one roof, allowing participants to live and learn in the same historic setting.

History & Background

AAFS began as a pioneering project to document the deserted 19th‑century village of Slievemore. The Deserted Village Project, launched in 1991, recorded 84 surviving houses, their associated lazy‑bed fields and the unique Rundale farming system that once sustained the community. Over three decades the school has broadened its research to include:

• Neolithic court and portal tombs
• Bronze‑Age hut sites and a carved stone head
• Early‑medieval ringforts
• Post‑medieval drystone dwellings such as those at Caraun Point

The school now supports two PhD students (maritime archaeology and post‑medieval ceramics) and two Masters students (landscape archaeology and architectural survey of the deserted village). All work is accredited by the National University of Ireland, Galway, with up to nine semester credits (18 ECTS) available.

Facilities & Accommodation

The campus at the Achill Folklife Centre provides:

• Dormitory‑style rooms for residential courses (shared bathrooms, heating and Wi‑Fi)
• Fully equipped classrooms and a small exhibition area titled “25 years exploring an Atlantic Island”
• A modern laboratory for artefact cleaning, cataloguing and analysis
• A library with specialist texts on Irish archaeology and a collection of site reports
• Wheelchair‑accessible parking and on‑site disabled‑friendly facilities (verify on arrival)

Courses & Training

AAFS runs a suite of residential programmes from one week to ten weeks, including:

• Introductory courses – ideal for beginners, lasting one week
• Accredited excavation courses – six, four, three or two‑week blocks (SS106, SS107, SS108, SS1109) that can earn up to 9 semester credits
• Trainee Supervisor Course – an eight‑week specialist programme for alumni who wish to lead future digs
• Evening lecture series – guest speakers present cutting‑edge research on selected Tuesdays during the summer season

All courses require participants to be 17 years or older and physically fit for fieldwork. Detailed pricing and application deadlines are listed on the school’s website.

Guided Tours & Exhibition

From April to September the school offers half‑day and full‑day guided tours led by qualified archaeologists. Highlights include:

• Walking the ancient pathway that links the three villages of the Slievemore deserted settlement
• Viewing artefacts and plans in the on‑site exhibition
• Visits to nearby sites such as Keem Bay, the Corraun Peninsula and the iconic sea cliffs that frame the archaeological landscape

Tours run weekly; the exact timetable varies with the season.

Weekly Field Trips

Course participants supplement daily excavation work with weekly excursions to other archaeological hotspots across Achill, for example:

• Caraun Point – drystone dwellings and a shell midden dating to the 8th–10th century (current 2024 excavation focus)
• Keem Bay – a post‑Famine settlement and historic Coast Guard station; a favourite spot for a swim or a short walk
• Cromlech Tumulus – a Middle Bronze‑Age house on the slopes of Slievemore, linked to a nearby Neolithic court tomb
• Moyteoge Head Look‑Out Post – World War II observation post with panoramic views

These trips provide additional training in surveying, site recording and landscape analysis.

Seasonal Highlights & Events

• Evening Lectures (Tuesdays, May‑Sep) – guest experts discuss topics ranging from maritime archaeology to booleying practices.
• Annual Conference (September) – a scholarly gathering on “Island Archaeology” featuring papers from the school’s research projects.
• Summer Open Days – occasional public days where visitors can try a short dig, meet students and see the laboratory in action.

Research & Publications

The field school not only excavates but also disseminates its findings. In 2016 Dr Theresa McDonald, founder of AAFS, published “Booleying in Ireland”, a study of seasonal cattle‑grazing practices that draws on material recovered at Slievemore. The school also produces an illustrated Guide to Archaeological and Historical Sites on Achill, Achillbeg and the Corraun Peninsula (111 pages, 6 000 years of history, 85 sites). The guide is sold via the school’s online shop and local book‑shops. Regular blog posts showcase recent digs, photographs of artefacts and updates on the interactive Digs platform.

Student Experience & Impact

Since its inception, AAFS has trained more than 1 000 students from over 30 countries, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in archaeology and anthropology. Alumni praise the low tutor‑student ratio, hands‑on methodology and the chance to work on sites ranging from Neolithic court tombs to World‑War‑II observation posts. The school’s reputation is reflected in its accreditation by the University of Galway and the acceptance of its credits by universities worldwide.

Visitor Information

Getting There

• By Car – Follow the N59 to the Michael Davitt Bridge, then follow signs for Dooagh. The campus is sign‑posted from the main road.
• By Bus – Bus Éireann services run to Westport; from there a local bus connects to Achill Sound, with a short taxi or walk to Dooagh.
• By Air – The nearest airport is Ireland West Airport Knock (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes drive).

Nearby Attractions

While you’re on Achill, consider adding these stops to your itinerary:

• Achill Sound and Corraun Peninsula – dramatic cliffs and sea‑stack views
• Keem Bay – a blue‑flag beach popular with swimmers and photographers
• Bartragh Island – accessible by boat for a short coastal walk
• Ballycroy National Park – a short drive inland for wild‑nephin scenery

Whether you are a student seeking academic credit, a heritage enthusiast eager to walk ancient pathways, or a traveller looking for a deeper connection to Ireland’s past, the Achill Archaeological Field School offers a memorable gateway to the island’s archaeological treasures.