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Archaeology Volunteers

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  • 30-08-2007 1:22pm
    #1
    kcools
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭


    Hi all,
    Just wondering if somebody can point me in the right direction. I have a friend based in Balbriggan, Co Dublin who is fascinated with archaeology. Unfortunately he has never had the opportunity attend any courses, go on digs etc. He would dearly love to get involved with archaeology but is unsure where or how to start.
    He's asked me (he's not particularly computer literate) to have a look for him on the net. I have managed to find the school in Achill but are there others that would do introductory style courses closer to Dublin? Also do digs ask for volunteers? If so how would he get onto their volunteer list?

    Many thanks in advance.


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    #2
    Riamfada
    Registered Users Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    well students and graduate students are always dying to get places on digs. But the demand is very high at the moment, therefore alot of unskilled foreign labour is used. Id recommend contacting some commercial companies such as ACS or VJK and asking for volunteer labour. I doubt it but it is worth a shot.

    Anyone woking on sites much have completed a 1 day safepass training course at least.

    G


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    #3
    Meathlass
    Registered Users Posts: 3,023 ✭✭✭Meathlass


    It's nigh on impossible to get a volunteer position on a commericial dig for insurance reasons. You could get paid though as a G.O.


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    #4
    kcools
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭kcools


    Thanks for the help so far - looks like getting on a dig is more difficult than he imagined! And does anybody have any suggestions re a course/school nearer to Dublin than the one in Achill?
    Thanks in advance.


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    #5
    pinkypinky
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 6,632 Mod ✭✭✭✭pinkypinky


    There are a few commercial archaeology companies working on the M3 route. I would look them up in the Golden Pages, ring them all and see if they have any work going. ACS is the name of one.

    Genealogy Forum Mod



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    #6
    Riamfada
    Registered Users Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    kcools

    UCD run a degree in archaeology, I believe you can also take night courses.

    g


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    #7
    kcools
    Registered Users Posts: 168 ✭✭kcools


    Again thanks for the suggestions. I'll definitely check out the night courses possibility at UCD. Fingers crossed.


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    #8
    Fletch123
    Closed Accounts Posts: 328 ✭✭Fletch123


    If you check out the Discovery Programme they have a training excavation on during the summertime in Tulsk. They probably only take students but you could always get in touch to see if they can make an exception!

    Your friend could get in touch with a local hostory society who might have talks on local archaeological sites that might interest him- it's not all about the digging! Also, the National Museum usually have lecture series, check out their website.

    Working on a commercial site mightn't be what your friend would expect as those positions are usually anout getting the job done than learning, the interpretation usually isn't left to the General Operatives!

    Even some local archaeology/history books might be good to get started.


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    #9
    Riamfada
    Registered Users Posts: 10,246 ✭✭✭✭Riamfada


    That tulsk dig is 900 euro for the 4 weeks. 900 euro you pay them !


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    #10
    WindSock
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,239 ✭✭✭✭WindSock


    I was looking to do some myself a while back. I contacted the NRA and the nice man there sent me a lovely email with info. Unfortunatly I had to put my Indiana Jones dream on hold, as I came off the dole and now I don't even have time to bang sticks together :(

    Dear Blah,
    With regard to the above, as I said on the phone, unfortunately the National Roads Authority (NRA) does not employ fieldwork staff directly; all NRA-funded archaeological work is conducted by commercial archaeology consultancies following a tendering process. I have included a list of Irish archaeological companies and suggest that you contact them to seek fieldwork opportunities. All those listed below have websites, you might visit these and try emailing them in order to expedite things. Best of luck.

    Kind regards,

    Nice NRA man

    PS
    Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd is the company working on the M3 project.



    Headland Archaeology Ltd
    Unit 4b
    Europa Enterprise Park
    Midleton
    Co. Cork

    Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd
    21 Boyne Business Park
    Greenhills
    Drogheda
    Co. Louth

    CRDS Ltd
    Unit 4
    Dundrum Business Park
    Windy Arbour
    Dublin 14

    Margaret Gowen & Co Ltd
    27 Merrion Square
    Dublin 2

    TVAS Ireland Ltd
    Ahish
    Ballinruan
    Co. Clare

    Mary Henry Archaeological Services Ltd
    17 Staunton Row
    Clonmel
    Co. Tipperary

    Sheila Land and Associates
    AE House
    Monahan Road
    Cork

    Valerie J Keeley Ltd
    Brehon House
    Castlecomer
    Co. Kilkenny

    Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd
    8 Dungar terrace
    Dub Laoghaire
    Co. Dublin

    Aegis Archaeology Ltd
    16 Avondale Court
    Corbally
    Co. Limerick

    Archaeological Development Services Ltd
    Windsor House
    11 Fairview Strand
    Fairview
    Dublin 3

    The Archaeology Company
    Office 1
    17 Castle Street
    Dalkey
    Co.Dublin 2


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