The County Donegal Heritage Office and the Donegal County Museum, in association with the County Donegal Heritage Forum and The Heritage Council will host the seminar on our archaeological heritage at the Regional Cultural Centre, Port Road, Letterkenny on Saturday, June 14 from 9am to 2pm.
“The archaeological heritage of County Donegal gives us an insight into past societies and ways-of-life,” explained Joseph Gallagher, Donegal County Council’s Heritage Officer. “Our archaeological heritage also provides part of the fabric of our cultural landscapes and helps to tell the story of our county. Aspects of our archaeological heritage have been lost in recent years whether through lack of awareness, neglect, destruction, insensitive development, landscape change, weathering or erosion. All efforts to conserve our archaeological heritage must be mindful of our obligations under the National Monuments Acts and follow the principles of best conservation practice.”
Guest speakers at the free seminar will include:
- Pauline Gleeson, Senior Archaeologist, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht who will outline the protection afforded archaeological monuments under the National Monuments Acts and provide advice in relation to securing consent for conservation works;
- Eamonn Kelly, Keeper of Irish Antiquities, National Museum of Ireland who will discuss the role of the National Museum as regards the preservation and conservation of archaeological artefacts and advise on what to do if you discover an archaeological object;
- Connie Kelleher, Underwater Archaeology Unit, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht who will give a presentation on the underwater archaeology (such as shipwrecks) off the County Donegal coast and how best to protect and manage our underwater cultural heritage;
- Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation, The Heritage Council who will talk about the role of community engagement with our archaeological heritage and the support provided by The Heritage Council; and
- Judith McCarthy, Curator & Caroline Carr, Assistant Curator, Donegal County Museum, Donegal County Council who will discuss the role of the Donegal County Museum in collecting, preserving, recording and displaying our archaeological heritage.
The seminar is free and open to everyone but places are limited so early booking is advised. If you would like to book a place at the ‘Lost & Found’ seminar, contact the Donegal County Museum on (074) 912 4613 or by e-mail at: museum@donegalcoco.ie
