Yep - a rotary quern, possibly a lower stone (though it wasn't lifted before we left so we didn't get to see the other side).

Spent today with our University of Galway 'Intro to Excavation' students as we braved the wet start to the day to accept AMS' kind invitation to visit their current excavation on the Foynes-to-Limerick road project. A fascinating multiperiod site. Thanks to all at AMS!

Lovely work by Brendan - and great to see a university valuing its assets!

Who knew? Archaeology has been chosen as the theme for a global robotics competition/league run by FIRST and LEGO! I spent an interesting afternoon with a Galway youth group on Saturday, hoping to spark some ideas for their entry.
www.firstinspires.org/programs/fll/game-and-season

Students volunteering to scrub animal bones... yay!

We may be lacking those in Galway then... Our new 'library' is going to be called a 'learning commons' with no open-access bookshelves... (last I heard, at any rate!)

We'all be lucky if they keep actual books in libraries...

Can we keep Powerpoint? Not sure I want to go back to ye Olde slide carousels - I see those slide boxes on the shelf...

Saturdays in the Burren... (with some of the students from our 'Archaeology and Irish Identity' module)

Teaching a module that explores some of this at the moment - archaeology and Irish identity...

The Aran Islands can be part of the Burren when the Burren is part of Galway... In fact, all of Clare returns to Connacht... 😜

Thank you!

Might be rare on Achill, but not that rare in a general Irish context... It is always nice, though, to add a 'new' monument to the record. I bet the students enjoyed the experience!

Andy?

Archaeology on the move!

Is that the moon at, well, Moone..?

Thanks Neil - Great man for the chat!

So great to chat with @michellecomber.bsky.social about this fascinating site!

Lots to dig into (sorry) in this episode – continuity and change, trade, the connection people had with ancient monuments in the past, and more!

Find Amplify Archaeology Podcast on Spotify, Apple & all the usual places

Etienne Rynne used to tell us a story about getting stuck in a souterrain with only a packet of digestive biscuits. Hope Vox has some choccy-covered ones...

Blocc and Bluigne – standing stones at Tara Blocc and Bluigne, the two ancient standing stones in the churchyard on the Hill of Tara. Some people say they are guardian stones. Others say that they are fertility stones. One ancient text describe...

These two have names - Blocc and Bluigne. I'll leave the actual mythical references to those who know more than I about such things!
mythicalireland.com/blogs/news/b...

I recognise that 'un...

Sometimes the back-fill gets in your boot...

This was fun!
Slightly longer this time (Moncrieff on Newstalk):

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

😂 Sadly no, not this time. Just some thrilled Tipp lads...

High status settlement - local rulers, no doubt. Could be more than 'local' at times, too, considering the intricacies of Early Medieval politics!

I know of it, alright, Chris - a fine big 'un!

Archaeological dig in Maree, Galway determines ringfort was high-status medieval settlement Dr. Michelle Comber, from the Archaeology department at University of Galway, discusses an eight-week excavation of Rathgurreen Ringfort in Maree, Galway.

Something of an, er, short comment on radio this morning - the hurling chat ran over so we got squeezed!
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Thanks Dez.

‘Deep and rich’ story of medieval high rulers and nobles determined by archaeologists in Galway Ancient settlement overlooking Galway Bay details western Ireland’s place in the wider world

Irish Times online today (apologies if this is behind a paywall):
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...

This week, Discovery Programme staff Susan, Ted and Hannah are onsite at Dr Michelle Comber’s excavations at Rathgurreen, Co. Galway, part of the Maree Project.
The team are looking forward to a week of digging, despite yesterday's rain!
@heritagecouncil.ie @uniofgalway.bsky.social