In this episode, Neil travels to one of Ireland’s most significant archaeological landscapes, Rathcroghan, to discover an important and innovative project that is helping farmers to protect the archaeology on their land.

In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil had the opportunity to visit the great royal site of Rathcroghan in County Roscommon to chat with Dr Daniel Curley who tells us all about his experience managing Rathcroghan Visitor Centre and how they engage people with the complex story of Rathcroghan’s archaeological and mythological landscapes. We also discuss the important Farming Rathcroghan EIP project with Dr Petra Kock Appelgren. The project seeks to manage the Rathcroghan farming landscape in a sustainable way with a focus on the delivery of good archaeological condition. While local farmer and project participant Gerard Healy tells us of his experiences and how the project has been transformative for him.

The project is recorded in the shadow of the great mound at Rathcroghan, so there may be a little ambient noise from time to time. It’s not the wind, just the ghost of Queen Medb trying to get in for a chat. I hope you enjoy the episode!

Farming Rathcroghan – Key Discussion Points

• Daniel introduces Rathcroghan and why it is such an important place – 0 min 52 secs
• Daniel tells us about the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre – 2 min 31 secs
• Daniel discusses the balance between archaeology and mythology at a place like Rathcroghan – 4 min 00 secs
• Daniel tells us about the Community Archaeology Conferences held at Rathcroghan – 6 min 57 secs
• Daniel explains how new research and discoveries are incorporated into the Visitor Centre – 9 min 37 secs
• Daniel discusses how COVID and the cost of living crisis has affected the Visitor Centre – 12 min 08 secs
• Daniel describes what he’d like to see for the future for Rathcroghan – 14 min 24 secs
• Daniel explains how visitors can enjoy Rathcroghan today – 16 min 34 secs
• Petra introduces the Farming Rathcroghan EIP Project – 19 min 38 secs
• Petra discusses the interest from farmers in the scheme – 23 mins 04 secs
• Petra outlines the benefits for the farmers – 23 min 57 secs
• Petra discusses the main challenges and threats posed to archaeology by farming – 26 min 09 secs
• Petra suggests what she’d like to see for the future of the project – 28 mins 16 secs
• Gerard describes his background and relationship to the land – 29 min 44 secs
• Gerard discusses the type of farming in the Rathcroghan landscape – 30 mins 20 secs
• Gerard tells us of the local stories about the monuments – 30 min 50 secs
• Gerard describes how the closure of local schools and the planning pressures have impacted people’s relationship with the landscape – 31 min 45 secs
• Gerard tells us about the conflict between archaeology and farming – 33 min 02 secs
• Gerard describes his experience with Farming Rathcroghan EIP and how it has led to better outcomes all round – 34 min 16 secs
• Gerard discusses the positivity brought by the project – 37 min 02 secs

Show notes and links to further information

• Farming Rathcroghan is a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. You can discover more about the Farming Rathcroghan EIP on their dedicated website here.
• If you’d like to explore Rathcroghan be sure to visit their website first here.
• You can find a virtual tour of the landscape there, it’s well worth exploring here!
• The Rathcroghan Community Archaeology Conference 2022: Above and Below is on in November. Book your ticket here.
• They also have a great shop full of very tempting books, with the proceeds going towards supporting the Visitor Centre. Shop here.
• If you enjoyed this episode you might also like the episode at Beaubec where we visited the ongoing excavations there, it included discussions with the landowners who also described their relationship with archaeology. You’ll find that here.
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