An interpretation of Valetta An interpretation of Valetta from the Críoch Fuinidh from the Críoch Fuinidh (the (the

final or remote country)final or remote country)

Margaret Keane Senior Archaeologist National Monuments

Service

Early Legislators Early Legislators ( Retired ( Retired Revolutionaries)Revolutionaries)

1916 Rebellion led by poets, 1916 Rebellion led by poets, writers, leaders of a writers, leaders of a movement of Celtic Revival movement of Celtic Revival stressing indigenous Irish stressing indigenous Irish cultureculture

1930 National Monuments Act 1930 National Monuments Act –Title of Act significant–Title of Act significant

Recognition of heritage Recognition of heritage features as icons of common features as icons of common shared past (post war of shared past (post war of independence 1919-21 and a independence 1919-21 and a bitter civil war 1922-23)bitter civil war 1922-23)

““provisions of a measure of this kind should concern not provisions of a measure of this kind should concern not merely the limited though happily daily increasing number of merely the limited though happily daily increasing number of people interested in antiquarian learning and research but the people interested in antiquarian learning and research but the

nation as a wholenation as a whole “ “

““the preservation of our monuments must be of some concern, not only the preservation of our monuments must be of some concern, not only to those inhabiting Ireland at present but to the Irish race spread all over to those inhabiting Ireland at present but to the Irish race spread all over the world, and as well as that, it is of interest to everybody who has any the world, and as well as that, it is of interest to everybody who has any concern with the early development of European culture”concern with the early development of European culture”

Monuments associated with Early Irish Literature and folk traditionsMonuments associated with Early Irish Literature and folk traditions

Extract from Belderrig: Céide Fields Neolithic

Landscape““..To lift the lid of the peat..To lift the lid of the peat

And find this pupil dreamingAnd find this pupil dreamingOf neolithic wheat!Of neolithic wheat!When he stripped off blanket bogWhen he stripped off blanket bogThe soft-piles centuriesThe soft-piles centuries

Fell open like a glib:Fell open like a glib:There were the first plough-marks,There were the first plough-marks,The stone age fields, the tombThe stone age fields, the tombCorbelled, turfed and chambered,Corbelled, turfed and chambered,Floored with dry turf-coomb.Floored with dry turf-coomb.

A landscape fossilized,A landscape fossilized,Its stone wall patteringsIts stone wall patteringsRepeated before our eyesRepeated before our eyesIn the stone walls of MayoIn the stone walls of MayoBefore I turn to goBefore I turn to go

He talked about persistance..He talked about persistance..

Belderrig, Seamus Heaney 1975Belderrig, Seamus Heaney 1975

Maria Simmonds-Gooding Ancient Fort

The intrinsic value of our heritage is rarely challenged in public

Found 1980 at Lurgoe, Derrynaflan Island County Tipperary part of a hoard of 5 objects dating to the 8th or 9th century A.D.

Article 5 Ireland is a sovereign, independent, democratic state.

The Supreme Court held that because heritage is such a fundamental facet to the sovereignty of a State, as a consequence, the State should be entitled to items of historical importance where the owner cannot be identified.

Webb vs Ireland 1988Webb vs Ireland 1988

Clashmelcon County Kerry Clashmelcon County Kerry 20122012

Levelling of a ringfort and damage to a souterrain (Early Medieval Levelling of a ringfort and damage to a souterrain (Early Medieval Farmstead)Farmstead)

Prosecution for failure to notify at Tralee Circuit Criminal CourtProsecution for failure to notify at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court€€25,000 fine under Section 12 1994 Act, 225,000 fine under Section 12 1994 Act, 2ndnd of March 2012 of March 2012

““ownership of property is a ownership of property is a right” …“this right was not right” …“this right was not unfettered and was unfettered and was qualified by the fact that qualified by the fact that property was held in trust property was held in trust for the culture of the for the culture of the country” (Judge Carroll country” (Judge Carroll Moran)Moran)

Pre-Valetta 1962-81 the Pre-Valetta 1962-81 the state (NMI) carried out state (NMI) carried out some extensive urban some extensive urban

excavationsexcavations

WOOD QUAY, DUBLIN

Departmental Policy Documents (1999)

•Framework and Principles for the protection of the Archaeological Heritage

•Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation

Planning SystemPlanning System

The minister (National Monuments The minister (National Monuments Service) is a statutory consultee Service) is a statutory consultee on applications that may have an on applications that may have an impact on archaeological impact on archaeological monumentsmonuments

2 Tier Planning System 2 Tier Planning System

Local Authorities and ABP.Local Authorities and ABP.

ABP the single authority for ABP the single authority for development by the State and development by the State and Strategic Infrastructural Strategic Infrastructural DevelopmentDevelopment

1994 Planning and 1994 Planning and Development Act Development Act

Section 32Section 32( ( cc ) where it appears to the planning authority that the development would  ) where it appears to the planning authority that the development would

be unduly close to any cave, site, feature or other object of be unduly close to any cave, site, feature or other object of archaeological, geological, scientific or historical interest, or would archaeological, geological, scientific or historical interest, or would detract from the appearance of any building of artistic, architectural detract from the appearance of any building of artistic, architectural or historical interest, or, in either case, would obstruct any scheme or historical interest, or, in either case, would obstruct any scheme for improvement of the surroundings of or any means of access to for improvement of the surroundings of or any means of access to any such place, object or structure any such place, object or structure

C. 6000 referrals to NMS per annumC. 6000 referrals to NMS per annum

Criteria for referral National Monument, Recorded Monument World Heritage Sites (or candidate sites)Wetlands, rivers lakes or inter-tidal zonesWithin or impinging upon the confines of a monument marked on an RMP mapA site feature object or complex of archaeological interestThe visual appreciation, setting and amenity of a Recorded MonumentLarge-scale development ( 2 hectares or more in area, linear development 1 km or more long)Quarry extensions and new quarriesWhere an Environmental Impact Statement has been preparedAny proposed Local Authority Developments that fall within any of the above categories or otherwise might impact uopon the built heritage

Planning and Licensing Planning and Licensing Unit, NMS Unit, NMS

Makes recommendations to Makes recommendations to LA and regulates licensingLA and regulates licensing

Currently 6.6 staff equivalentsCurrently 6.6 staff equivalents(+6 Local Authority (+6 Local Authority

archaeologists)archaeologists)Archaeological assessment Archaeological assessment

Pre-planning or Further Pre-planning or Further InformationInformation

Excavation where required as Excavation where required as conditioncondition

Monitoring with provision for Monitoring with provision for excavation of identified excavation of identified archaeology as conditionarchaeology as condition

In instances where impacts are In instances where impacts are unacceptable unacceptable refusal refusal recommendedrecommended

Outline respective roles and responsibilities of the named body and the Minister

Reflect State policy

Based on an agreed set of principles

Employment of in-house archaeological expertise or project archaeologists

Codes of Practice with Infrastructural Providers

Road:Road: NRA NRARail:Rail: RPA RPAPower Lines:Power Lines: Eirgrid and ESB Eirgrid and ESBQuarrying:Quarrying: Irish Concrete Federation Irish Concrete FederationForestry:Forestry: Coillte CoillteGas Pipelines:Gas Pipelines: Bord Gais Bord GaisPeatland Extraction:Peatland Extraction: Bord Na Móna Bord Na Móna

Benefits of in-house Benefits of in-house expertiseexpertise

In-house archaeological expertise allows for earlier consultations

Pre-acquisition advice by Project Archaeologists

Avoidance of previously known monuments becomes the norm with investigations targeting previously unknown monuments

Project Archaeologists are both the on-site supervising authority and the client so payments can be staged allowing for higher levels of reporting recorded and for a wider more strategic dissemination of the results of work.

NRA Publications

Private Sector involvement

Commercial Sector carrying out investigations on Commercial Sector carrying out investigations on behalf of their clientsbehalf of their clients

The State Archaeological Service (NMS) does not The State Archaeological Service (NMS) does not involve itself directly in financial issues between involve itself directly in financial issues between archaeological consultants and their clientsarchaeological consultants and their clients

“ “Closer to Boston than Berlin”Closer to Boston than Berlin”Flexibility of workforce – which can adroitly Flexibility of workforce – which can adroitly

negotiate demand and supply more effectively negotiate demand and supply more effectively than a state counterpartthan a state counterpart

Collapse of the Celtic Tiger has had catastrophic Collapse of the Celtic Tiger has had catastrophic effect on this sectoreffect on this sector

Legacy issues in relation to reporting of results with Legacy issues in relation to reporting of results with the site archives controlled by companies who the site archives controlled by companies who have dissolved or licencees who have emigratedhave dissolved or licencees who have emigrated

What do Irish developers want from What do Irish developers want from their consultants and the authorities?their consultants and the authorities?Clear pre-planning advice on how to avoid impacts on known Clear pre-planning advice on how to avoid impacts on known

material and quantification of risks of the previously unknownmaterial and quantification of risks of the previously unknown

Timely responses to referrals of the results of assessment process Timely responses to referrals of the results of assessment process

Planning permission within a reasonable period, preferably Planning permission within a reasonable period, preferably without appeal to ABP (incurring longer time period for without appeal to ABP (incurring longer time period for planning permission)planning permission)

Confidence in timescales and costs of excavation based on Confidence in timescales and costs of excavation based on accurate test excavations and tendering processaccurate test excavations and tendering process

No surprises late in the day– minimization of riskNo surprises late in the day– minimization of risk

Summary of National Summary of National PolicyPolicyAvoidance of known archaeologyAvoidance of known archaeology

Preservation Preservation in situ in situ (piling judged equivalent with proviso’s on density, type and (piling judged equivalent with proviso’s on density, type and layout)layout)

Minimization of ImpactMinimization of Impact

Excavation of what is to be destroyed by development work where meaningful Excavation of what is to be destroyed by development work where meaningful preservation preservation is situis situ isn’t feasible isn’t feasible

Excavation to take place prior to the commencement of construction works preferably, Excavation to take place prior to the commencement of construction works preferably, after all planning permissions have been granted. after all planning permissions have been granted.

Resolution prior to grants of planning permission avoided usuallyResolution prior to grants of planning permission avoided usually

There was no presumption that 100% excavation of sites threatened by development There was no presumption that 100% excavation of sites threatened by development approved by planning authorities was not achievableapproved by planning authorities was not achievable

Woodstown, County Woodstown, County WaterfordWaterford

AVOIDANCEAVOIDANCE“There should always be a presumption in favour of avoiding developmental impacts on the archaeological heritage. “

Image NRA and ACS NRA Photo Airshots

NRA and ACS

““Preservation Preservation in-situin-situ must always be must always be the first option to be considered rather the first option to be considered rather than preservation by record in order to than preservation by record in order to allow development to proceed, and allow development to proceed, and preservation in-situ must also be preservation in-situ must also be presumed to be the preferred option.”presumed to be the preferred option.”

De Burgo Hall at the De Burgo Hall at the Custom House GalwayCustom House Galway

““Thankfully, this important Thankfully, this important archaeological remnant archaeological remnant of the city’s past is on of the city’s past is on public display, and you public display, and you can visit the ruins of the can visit the ruins of the hall in Flood Street. hall in Flood Street. When you do so, When you do so, remember that this was remember that this was probably the first major probably the first major building ever to be built building ever to be built in Galway. What you are in Galway. What you are seeing is the very seeing is the very beginnings of our great beginnings of our great city.”city.”

Cat and Mouse in the Courts for preservation in situ of Carrickmines Castle

2002 Occupation of the site by the “Carrickminders” seeking the ending of excavations to preserve portions of the castle affected by the approved road-works.

Dominic Dunne and George Lucas –v- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Supreme Court 24 February 2003) Plaintiffs applied for an injunction against defendants to prevent further removal of the castle as approved. Consent required

Successful injunction against the state issued by the Supreme Court. Consent sought by LA. Consent Granted.

Michael Mulcreevy –vs- The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (Supreme Court 27 January 2004)

State proceeded to revise the National Monuments Act introducing 2004 National Monuments Amendment Act July 18 2004Excavations restarted August 16th 2004

August 18th 2004 Proceedings issued against state and local authority questioning whether the Act was in accordance with the Constitution and whether it required an EIA

Dominic Dunne –v- The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Ireland, The Attorney General and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (High Court 7

September 2004)Plaintiffs lost action, Subsequently appealed to the Higher Court ( Supreme)

 On 3 March 2011, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found against Ireland(2) excluded demolition works from the scope of Irish legislation transposing the EIA

Directive;

The European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Demolition of The European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment of Proposed Demolition of National Monuments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 249 of 2012)National Monuments) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 249 of 2012)

Dialogue Faro discusses to deal equitably with situations where contradictory values are placed on the same cultural heritage by different communities

2006 according to the Supreme Court (on appeal of Dominic Dunne vs State)2006 according to the Supreme Court (on appeal of Dominic Dunne vs State)

Section 8 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 — "removes a bundle of Section 8 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 2004 — "removes a bundle of protections" from protections" from national monuments, the five-judge court found the , the five-judge court found the Oireachtas is not is not prohibited under the prohibited under the Constitution of Ireland from enacting such laws. from enacting such laws.

A Heritage Community consists of people who value specific aspects of the cultural heritage which they wish, within the framework of public action to sustain and transmit to future generations Faro Convention Definition

Activists, Protestors, Like-Minded Citizens?

100% excavation : A matter 100% excavation : A matter of scale rather than of scale rather than resources per se?resources per se?

Density of monuments 70,273 sq km 140,000 individual known monuments – 2 identified monuments per sq km

From linear developments (NRA) 1 new previously undiscovered monument per km

Graph of numbers of Graph of numbers of Excavation Licences 1988-Excavation Licences 1988-

20132013

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Excavation Licenses Issued

Detection Device Consents Issued

Diving Licenses Issued

Ministerial Consents Issued

Ministerial Directions Issued

Total Issued (by year)

Quantities of Artefacts?Quantities of Artefacts?

No PalaeolithicNo PalaeolithicNo Roman colonisationNo Roman colonisationFew Iron Age Few Iron Age

Settlement Sites Settlement Sites (10 IA houses in SMR)(10 IA houses in SMR)Few ceramics IAFew ceramics IAPractically a-ceramic Practically a-ceramic

Early Medieval Early Medieval PeriodPeriod

De-accession of finds De-accession of finds to be agreed with to be agreed with the NMIthe NMI Image : NMI Ireland

The unexpected find – Ballymaclode, WaterfordThe unexpected find – Ballymaclode, WaterfordThe unanticipated site type – Tullaghedy TipperaryThe unanticipated site type – Tullaghedy TipperaryThe surprising monument location – Lisheen TipperaryThe surprising monument location – Lisheen Tipperary

The full story? Corlea 1, Longford and Bennetsbridge The full story? Corlea 1, Longford and Bennetsbridge KilkennyKilkenny

With complete recording of archaeological material re- With complete recording of archaeological material re- interpretation is feasibleinterpretation is feasible

How can we be sure that the site sample is a microcosm How can we be sure that the site sample is a microcosm of the whole? of the whole?

In selecting portions of sites or site types to be In selecting portions of sites or site types to be excavated how do you escape bias?excavated how do you escape bias?

What gives us confidence in our approach?What gives us confidence in our approach?

What happens to unselected deposits, structures and artefacts?What happens to unselected deposits, structures and artefacts?

What about “redundancy of results” or collecting repetitive data?What about “redundancy of results” or collecting repetitive data?Pride of place in Ireland - is the mundane object or ubiquitous Pride of place in Ireland - is the mundane object or ubiquitous

monument of little significance in the local context? monument of little significance in the local context?

How do selection criteria square with FARO Article 5?How do selection criteria square with FARO Article 5?(f) recognise the value of cultural heritage on territories under (f) recognise the value of cultural heritage on territories under

its jurisdiction, regardless of its origins.its jurisdiction, regardless of its origins.

““My own response is that it’s not so much a My own response is that it’s not so much a question of question of whichwhich sites we investigate as of sites we investigate as of howhow we investigate any given site.” we investigate any given site.”

(Roger M Thomas Rethinking Development-led (Roger M Thomas Rethinking Development-led Archaeology 2010)Archaeology 2010)

Ballymaclode, County Ballymaclode, County WaterfordWaterford

FULACHTA FIA (BURNT MOUND)

Images : Judith Carroll, Dave Pollock and Jo Moran

Tullaghedy County Tullaghedy County TipperaryTipperary

Lisheen County Lisheen County TipperaryTipperary

Image: IAC

Hermitage County Hermitage County LimerickLimerick

1979 g of cremated bone representing a single adult possibly male 7530-7320 BC

Image:Aegis

Image:Aegis

Bennetsbridge County Bennetsbridge County KilkennyKilkenny

NRA photograph Airshots

Preservation through Preservation through EducationEducation

“Archaeology in the “Archaeology in the ClassroomClassroom

Its About Time” 2005Its About Time” 2005

““Time in Transition”Time in Transition”

Data to Knowledge/Records Data to Knowledge/Records to Understandingto Understanding

“..make recommendations to me on the research needs in the field of Irish archaeology. I am anxious for the Council to identify available synergies and examine the need for an overall national programme, as an input to my determination of an overall strategic plan for archaeological research.”

(Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government January 2006)

“Archaeology 2020: repositioning Irish Archaeology in the Knowledge Society” (UCD 2006)

“A Framework for Irish Archaeological Research” (The Heritage Council 2006)

“Archaeology in Ireland: a Vision for the Future” (Royal Irish Academy, 2007)

“Rethinking Irish Archaeology: Old Ground, New Ideas” (Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland 2007)

“A Review of Research Needs in Irish Archaeology” (Heritage Council 2007)

Synthesis and Publication of Synthesis and Publication of Urban Excavations: Records to Urban Excavations: Records to

UnderstandingUnderstanding

1997 Late Viking Age and Medieval Waterford. Excavations 1986-1992. Maurice F. Hurley, Orla M.B. Scully with Sarah W.J. McCutcheon

2003 Excavations in Cork City 1984-2000. Cork: Cork City Council. RM Cleary, M. F. Hurley (Ed.).

INSTAR – Thematic archaeological INSTAR – Thematic archaeological research grant programmeresearch grant programme

Established 2008Established 2008Funded by the NMS, Funded by the NMS,

administered by the Heritage administered by the Heritage CouncilCouncil

Cross-Sector CollaborationCross-Sector Collaboration

1. Cultural Identity, Territories & 1. Cultural Identity, Territories & Boundaries Boundaries

2. Environment & Climate 2. Environment & Climate ChangeChange

3. Landscapes & Settlement 3. Landscapes & Settlement

37 Projects Palaeolithic to 37 Projects Palaeolithic to MedievalMedieval

100 reports available online100 reports available online2008 €972,200 reducing to 2008 €972,200 reducing to 2014 €70,0002014 €70,000

Review 2010 by Sir Barry Review 2010 by Sir Barry Cunliffe Cunliffe

“INSTAR is a transformative programme which, if maintained and developed will put Irish archaeology at the cutting edge of the discipline in a world context.

For a comparatively small financial investment the output in terms of new knowledge, new methodologies and the reputation of the discipline in Ireland have been massive.”

EMAP (Early Medieval EMAP (Early Medieval Archaeology Programme)Archaeology Programme)

North/South CollaborationNorth/South Collaboration

UCD/Queens UniversityUCD/Queens University

Academic, RegulatoryAcademic, Regulatory

Authorities and Private Authorities and Private SectorSector

Synthetic projectsSynthetic projects

Policy projectsPolicy projects

Finalisation projectsFinalisation projects

To examine history, character and results of Early Medieval Excavations in Ireland

To publish – achieve date to knowledge transformation

To foster training links between the academic and commercial sectors

Image : Emap

Dissemination – NMS at the Dissemination – NMS at the Farm ShowsFarm Shows

Nothing is perfect even at Nothing is perfect even at the end of the rainbow!the end of the rainbow!

Image: Dominic Delaney and Ass.