AS part of Fingal County Council’s Creative Ireland programme and Heritage Week 2017, members of the public are invited to take part in a real and exciting archaeological excavation in Swords Castle from August 18 to September 6.
This is the third year of this innovative community archaeology project at Swords Castle, where participants can pick up their trowels, join the team and take part in excavations in this culturally significant national monument in the heart of Swords.Â
The three-week archaeological excavation will be supported by a programme of exciting family-friendly activities.
On Tuesday, August 29, archaeology meets art when artists Fiona Hallinan and Sabina McMahon will explore the history of baking and food production in
‘All Bread is Made of Wood’.Â
This public art project, commissioned by Fingal’s Public Art Manager, Caroline Cowley, will see the artists cooking, performing and creating new histories of food based on the seed evidence recovered from the excavations at Swords Castle.Â
On Tuesday, August 22, there will be a Pottery Workshop with specialist post-medieval ceramics specialist Rosanne Meenan.Â
Participants can sort through pottery they have uncovered and washed under the guidance of Rosanne who will shares the origins and meaning behind the fragments of pot.
Fingal Community Archaeologist Christine Baker said:
“Nothing beats the excitement of hands-on archaeology, where we can discover how people lived thousands of years ago in a real-life dig.Â
“We are trying to answer questions about Swords Castle, it’s past and the community in Fingal. How old is the castle? What was it used for? And to do this we need lots of people to come and help us dig.
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“It is a unique experience and a rare opportunity to take part in a research dig. There are so many elements to an archaeological excavation from artefact processing to drawing plans, sieving and bone washing, organising paperwork, photographs and recording – there is something for everyone to get involved in.
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From August 18 to September 6, Swords Castle will be open for digging from 10am-4pm every day (except Mondays). If you wish to dig you need to be over 18 but visitors of all ages are welcome to come and watch, wash pottery or bag artifacts. Training, tea, and t-shirts will be supplied! To sign up, contact christine.baker@fingal.ie or phone 01-8905691. For further updates on Swords Castle Digging History project and the programme of activities please visit the facebook page www.facebook.com/SwordsCastleDiggingHistoryÂ
