Galway Community Archaeologist aims to instill pride in local heritage

Learning about the past and protecting it for the future

IN a country renowned for its castles, churches, ringforts and ancient landscapes, archaeology might be seen as something that belongs to academics and subject experts.

However, for Galway’s Community Archaeologist the job is not simply about uncovering the past, it’s about helping individuals understand it in the present and preserve what matters to all.

Bernie Doherty has been working as the Galway Community Archaeologist alongside Galway County Heritage Officer Marie Mannion for the past seven years.

Funded through Galway County Council and the Heritage Council, her role is dedicated to promoting awareness of archaeology and helping communities engage with the heritage around them.

“I work with community groups, individuals, farmers, educators, and people who simply have an interest in archaeology,” explains Bernie.

“On the preservation side of it I help people understand the legislation that’s there and how that would apply to their circumstances.”

Having been in existence for over 20 years, the role of Community Archaeologist has become a vital resource for communities across the county.

For most individuals, the term archaeology still brings up images of excavations, dinosaurs and ancient artefacts, but Bernie challenges such misconceptions with one simple but powerful definition.

“Archaeology is the evidence of past human activities. This evidence can be seen in our landscape and our day to day lives.

“Any object that has been altered from its natural form can be evidence that humans have interacted with their surroundings, whether it is a stick turned into a tool or something dropped somewhere on a path being used by them.”

Some of the most common archaeological evidence found in Ireland are the foundations of old homes, ringforts, the remains of medieval churches, a monument or structure etc.

Such evidence is scattered all across North Galway, items that people might witness in their everyday life without realising their value.

One of the most important aspects of the Community Archaeologist’s role is helping people understand that archaeology is not limited to museums and famous landmarks.

It exists in local fields like the Kilcreevanty Nunnery in Kilbannon, in townlands and villages like Corofin Castle and often within walking distance of people’s homes like Temple Jarlath in Tuam.

Sometimes these sites are so familiar that they become part of the background landscape and people forget how valuable they are until they learn the history behind them.

Bernie believes that knowledge creates appreciation which might lead to preservation of these sites.

“When you learn more about it, you will appreciate it more, appreciate how old it is and how long it has been there.

“You will understand that it is not just for us today, but for the generations to come. If someone cares for something, they are going to look after it,” she said.

When local people feel connected to a site, they become its greatest advocates and protectors. They are then guided by the Community Archaeologist to find answers to questions around these archaeological sites.

A person might think of building a house close to an enclosure, a farmer may discover something on his field while carrying out work or a community group may be concerned about the condition of a local graveyard or church ruin.

They all need guidance to understand what can be their next step, what are the regulations and who looks after them?

“I can show them the path where they can do their own research or advise them to get another professional advice,” explained Ms Doherty.

“As a Community Archaeologist, I am there to help anyone who has a query.”

Ms Doherty brings to the role, almost 30 years of experience as a field archaeologist, where she carried out excavations and assessments across the country.

Originally from Donegal, she went to college in University College Galway (now University of Galway) and graduated in 1995.

Her earliest job as an archaeologist placed her on Omey Island off the Galway coast. She also worked on Clare Island and numerous other sites in Ireland.

“Being an archaeologist can be both exciting and daunting at the same time. But I enjoyed every aspect of it from digging and excavation to record keeping,” she recalled.

Sharing some of her work experiences as a Community Archaeologist, Ms Doherty feels lucky to have worked on Temple Jarlath in the centre of Tuam.

She helped Galway County Council and local heritage group put in an application for the Community Monuments Fund.

The site was extremely overgrown at the time and she worked with the Council, local stakeholders and a team of heritage professionals to conserve and improve the monument.

“The site was brought to light by the local community several times, but there was never any money there up until about 2020, when the Community Monuments Fund came,” said Ms Doherty.

The conservation work exposed many of the beautiful features of the old building, including the Romanesque carvings and sculpted heads around the windows.

A StoryMap, podcast and short film were also produced to ensure that the story of Temple Jarlath is accessible to admirers who can not visit the site in person.

Further works by Ms Doherty also included the 3D recording of the Market Cross at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tuam, conservation of Kilcreevanty Nunnery, one of Ireland’s earliest medieval nunneries based in the parish of Kilbannon, and Kilclooney Castle near Milltown.

Along with helping with conservation and preservation works, the role of a Community Archaeologist also involves educating and raising awareness around these sites of heritage and cultural importance.

Through the Heritage in Schools programme, Ms Doherty visits schools across the country to help children understand the archaeology and heritage around them.

“Generally, there will be an archaeological monument near a school. So, I try to make them passionate about their local heritage,” she said.

Her approach is practical and hands-on where the students learn about the difference between natural and cultural heritage, before visiting a local monument around them.

Afterwards, they recreate what they have seen through activities and model-making, gaining insight into their history and monuments.

For Ms Doherty, the aim is not necessarily to encourage every child to become an archaeologist, but to foster a sense of appreciation for local heritage and responsibility towards protecting it.

Heritage sites such as Temple Jarlath “belong to everyone and should be accessible” to all, but it also increases the risk of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at these places.

“We try to instill a sense of pride for their locality and local heritage. With pride comes the preservation, because if someone cares for something, they’re going to look after it,” she stressed.

Although, the role of a Community Archaeologist is vital for the people in Galway, it is yet to gain the recognition in the community.

Ms Doherty is trying her best to make the community aware of the role and its services by organising various workshops and talk events.

“I try to be visible in the community during events like the Heritage Week. I go to the different events throughout the country and have my banner up for people to see and contact me if they need,” she added.