On the 24th of January 2025, Ireland was battered by Storm Éowyn, a weather event that left a significant mark on our landscapes and communities. With ferocious winds, snow and rain, the storm caused widespread damage, particularly through falling trees and downed electrical powerlines. In my local area of Sligo, Sligo County Council immediately began… Continue reading Sligo Community Comes Together Post Storm Éowyn
Category: Press Release
Irish Civil War Dugout researchers win Cathaoirleach Award
Celebrating Heritage: Award-Winning Book Explores Irish Civil War Dugout We are thrilled to announce that ‘An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory’ has won the Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Award for ‘Heritage and the Irish Language.’ Co-authored by Dr. Marion Dowd, Robert Mulraney, and Dr. James Bonsall, this groundbreaking work highlights the first archaeological excavation of an Irish Civil War site. Featuring nearly 200 artefacts and untold stories of anti-Treaty IRA fighters, the book blends archaeology, history, and community memory, shedding light on Sligo’s past. Available in hardback and as a free PDF, it’s a treasure for history enthusiasts and specialists alike.
Irish Civil War book wins Literary Award
We are thrilled to announce that An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory, co-authored by Dr. Marion Dowd, Robert Mulraney, and Dr. James Bonsall, has been given the prestigious Literary Award at SUICRO 2024. This annual symposium, hosted by the Speleological Union of Ireland (SUI) and the Irish Cave Rescue… Continue reading Irish Civil War book wins Literary Award
Publication: Contribution to the Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives
I'm pleased to share that the Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives, available on bookshelves now, includes a contribution by Robert Mulraney, Dr Marion Dowd and myself. This comprehensive and richly illustrated volume offers significant new insights into the Irish Civil War. About the Book: This book, edited by John Crowley, Helene O'Keeffe,… Continue reading Publication: Contribution to the Atlas of the Irish Civil War: New Perspectives
Publication: Tormore Cave – An Irish Civil War Dugout
New Book Reveals Hidden History of Ireland’s Civil War: An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory I'm proud to announce the publication of my latest book, An Irish Civil War Dugout: Tormore Cave, County Sligo. Archaeology, History, Memory, authored by Dr. Marion Dowd, Robert Mulraney, and myself, published by Archaeopress,… Continue reading Publication: Tormore Cave – An Irish Civil War Dugout
Publication: Insights into Ireland’s Younger Dryas and Early Holocene Fauna
In the new book "World Archaeo-Geophysics," my chapter focuses on the role of soil science in archaeological prospection in Ireland. It addresses the challenges posed by Ireland's geology and soils and offers six case studies demonstrating the integration of soil studies into archaeological projects. The book, edited by Carmen Cuenca-Garcia, Andrei Asăndulesei, and Kelsey M. Lowe, features contributions from 74 experts across 18 countries and emphasizes the synergy of geophysics and archaeology on a global scale. I advocate for increased collaboration among geophysicists, excavators, and soil scientists to improve methodologies and teamwork in utilizing soil science in archaeology. The book is available for free download, promoting shared learning and cooperation in the archaeological community. My chapter and the entire book are also available for open access download.
Publication: Exploring the Role of Soil Studies in Irish Archaeological Prospection
In the new book "World Archaeo-Geophysics," my chapter focuses on the role of soil science in archaeological prospection in Ireland. It addresses the challenges posed by Ireland's geology and soils and offers six case studies demonstrating the integration of soil studies into archaeological projects. The book, edited by Carmen Cuenca-Garcia, Andrei Asăndulesei, and Kelsey M. Lowe, features contributions from 74 experts across 18 countries and emphasizes the synergy of geophysics and archaeology on a global scale. I advocate for increased collaboration among geophysicists, excavators, and soil scientists to improve methodologies and teamwork in utilizing soil science in archaeology. The book is available for free download, promoting shared learning and cooperation in the archaeological community. My chapter and the entire book are also available for open access download.
Publication: Finding Mesolithic lithics in my garden during COVID-19
Late Mesolithic distally-trimmed blade (2021C2:1). Photograph by James Connolly. I'm a co-author on a new publication, led by Cian Hogan. ‘A prehistoric chert assemblage with a Late Mesolithic component from Castlegal, Cope’s Mountain, Sligo’, has just been published in the Sligo Field Club Journal, Vol. 8. The assemblage is from my garden. Marion Dowd (ATU… Continue reading Publication: Finding Mesolithic lithics in my garden during COVID-19
Book Launch: The Six – The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo’s Noble Six
We held a book launch for The Six - The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo’s Noble Six on the 20th September 2022, 100 years to the day that the Noble Six were killed.
New Book: The Six – The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo’s Noble Six
Project: The Six - The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo’s Noble Six Directors: Dr. James Bonsall, Dr. Marion Dowd and Robert Mulraney Location: Sligo Year: 2022 Funding: Fourth Dimension Prospection, Caves of Ireland, Sligo County Council Museum Service Book cover for The Six. My latest book is called The Six - The Lives and Memorialisation of… Continue reading New Book: The Six – The Lives and Memorialisation of Sligo’s Noble Six
Dr James Bonsall 