Conference Presentations

Below, you’ll find a list of my conference presentations. If you’d like a personal copy of any of these, then drop me a line.

 

Conference Papers

Bonsall, J. & Roche, L. 2025. ‘Heat and Heritage at Carrowmore, Co. Sligo: Thermal imaging and the rediscovery of Ireland’s lost megaliths’. Aerial Archaeology Research Group Annual Conference, Dokkhuset, Trondheim, Norway, 11 September 2025.

Bonsall, J. 2025. ‘Digital Cliffs: Exploring the Archaeology of Loop Head in 3D’. National Heritage Week 2025, Culturlann Sweeney, Kilkee, County Clare, 19 August 2025.

Bonsall, J., Dowd, M. and Mulraney, R. 2024. ‘Examining the Lives and Deaths of Early 20th Century IRA Soldiers: The Fate of “Sligo’s Noble Six” in the Irish Civil War’. Sons and Daughters of Erin, Ryan’s Saloon & Broiler, Reno, Nevada, USA. 8 October 2024.

Roche, L. & Bonsall, J. 2024. ‘From Trenches to Thermography: Enhancing Archaeological Excavations with UAV Thermal Imaging’. Aerial Archaeology Research Group Annual Conference, De Grey Court, St John University, York, UK, 12-14 September 2024. Available via: https://youtu.be/Rbeh_uRz8H4?si=BW2wvQ4K4Rd06NLY

Dowd, M., Mulraney, R. and Bonsall, J. 2023. ‘Cogadh na gCarad, Óglaigh na hÉireann agus uaimh i Sligeach Thuaidh’. Éigse Chluainín 2023, The Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim. 25 November 2023.

Dowd, M., Mulraney, R. and Bonsall, J. 2023. ‘Excavating a Civil War Hideout: Tormore Cave, Co. Sligo’. IPMAG XXIII: The Archaeology of Community, Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group, County Arms Hotel, Birr, County Offaly. 5 February 2023.

Bonsall, J., Dowd, M. and Mulraney, R. 2022. ‘Sligo’s Noble Six: New Insights’. Nazareth House, Nazareth Housing Association, Sligo. 16 November 2022.

Dowd, M., Mulraney, R. and Bonsall, J. 2022. ‘Sligo’s Civil War Hideout: Archaeological Excavations at Tormore Cave’. Feis Shligigh, Sligo’s Noble Six Commemoration, Sligo Southern Hotel, Sligo. 23 September 2022.

Bonsall, J., Dowd, M. and Mulraney, R. 2022. ‘Sligo’s Noble Six: New Insights’. Feis Shligigh, Sligo’s Noble Six Commemoration, Sligo Southern Hotel, Sligo. 23 September 2022.

Dowd, M., Mulraney, R. and Bonsall, J. 2022. ‘Tormore Cave: A Civil War Time Capsule’. Exploring the Civil War in Sligo. Hawk’s Well Theatre, Sligo. 22 September 2022. Available to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQqy2tTjSfQ

Bonsall, J., Dowd, M. and Mulraney, R. 2022. ‘Sligo’s Noble Six: Their Lives and Memorialisation’. Sligo’s Noble Six Commemorative Symposium, Grange Hall, Grange, Co. Sligo. 18 September 2022.

Dowd, M., Mulraney, R. and Bonsall, J. 2022. ‘A Civil War hideout: Archaeological excavations at Tormore Cave, Co. Sligo’. The Irish Civil War: National Conference, Panel L: Civil War Archaeology and Material Culture. University College Cork, Ireland. 16 June 2022. Available to view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQqy2tTjSfQ

Harding, R., Fitch, S., Bates, R., Bates, M., Boyd, S. and Bonsall, J. 2021. ‘Exploring the Submerged Landscapes of Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea’. Lost Frontiers and Drowned Landscapes in Britain and Beyond, Society of Antiquaries, London, UK. 6-7 May 2021. Available to view: https://youtu.be/9dH-6wr33tY

Bonsall, J. and Dowd, M. 2019. ‘New archaeological research at the Carrowmore complex, County Sligo’. Lecture to the Sligo Field Club, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo, Ireland. 29 November 2019. 

Harding, R., Fitch, S., Bates, R., Bates, M., Bonsall, J. and Gaffney, V. 2019. ‘Revealing the lost landscapes of Cardigan Bay, Wales: mapping the Holocene transgression using parametric echosounder data’. From the North Sea Lowlands to the Celtic Edge: Reconstructing Interconnected Environments for the Past 500 KYRS, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 18-20 November 2019.

Schmidt, A., Fry, R., Parkyn, A., Bonsall, J. & Gaffney, C. 2019. ‘Predicting the contrast in earth resistance data from weather observations’. SAGA Workshop 1, Prague, Czech Republic, 30 September – 1 October 2019.

Bonsall, J. 2019. The 13th ICAP and the Importance of Archaeological Prospection in Ireland. 13th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, 28 August – 1 September 2019, Sligo – Ireland.

Harding, R., Fitch, S., Gaffney, V., Bates, R., Bates, M. and Bonsall, J. 2019. ‘Lost Frontiers: Mapping the archaeological potential of submerged Holocene landscapes using multi-scale geophysical and borehole data’. Session on – Integration of seismic geomorphology, stratigraphy and borehole data in palaeo-environmental reconstruction. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2019, Austria Center Vienna, Austria, 9 April 2019.

Bonsall, J. 2019. ‘Geophysics and Drones for Community Archaeology’, Communities Caring for Monuments Seminar, Sligo Park Hotel, Sligo, 15 March 2019.

Bonsall, J. 2018. ‘Recent Research along Sligo’s Wild Atlantic Coastline’, National Monuments Service Staff Conference, Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo, 16 May 2018.

Bonsall, J., Davis, E., Gearey, B., Bates, M., Bates, R., Gaffney, V., Allaby, R., Fitch, S. and Murgatroyd, P. 2018. ‘Mapping the Palaeolandscape Beneath the Irish Sea’. Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Annual Conference, Clayton Hotel, Sligo, 23-24 March 2018.

Bonsall, J. 2017. ‘Living in a post-workhorse world: observations learnt from rapidly acquired electromagnetic induction surveys in Ireland (…when magnetometry just won’t do…)’. In B. Jennings, C. Gaffney, T. Sparrow & S. Gaffney (Eds.) The Proceedings of the 12th International Conference of Archaeological Prospection, University of Bradford, United Kingdom, 12-16th September 2017.

Schmidt, A., Fry, R., Parkyn, A., Bonsall, J. & Gaffney, C. 2017. ‘When the time is right: the impact of weather variations on the contrast in earth resistance data’. In B. Jennings, C. Gaffney, T. Sparrow & S. Gaffney (Eds.) The Proceedings of the 12th International Conference of Archaeological Prospection, University of Bradford, United Kingdom, 12-16th September 2017.

Bonsall, J. 2017. ‘Metal Detectors: How, Why and Where? Methodologies and Case Studies’, An Introduction to the Practice and Value of Metal Detection for the Archaeological Profession in Northern Ireland, CPD Course, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, Queen’s University Belfast, 9 June 2017.

Bonsall, J. & Foard, G. 2016. ‘Challenges of Working with Legacy Data from Detectorists: A Case Study in the Fabrication of Evidence’. 9th Biennial Fields of Conflict Conference. 22-25 September 2016. Trinity College Dublin.

Bonsall, J. 2016. ‘Metal Detectors: How, Why and Where? Methodologies and Case Studies’, An Introduction to the Practice and Value of Metal Detection for the Archaeological Profession in Ireland, CPD Course, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, 29 July 2016.

Bonsall, J., Fry, F., Gaffney, C., Pope-Carter, F. & Armit, I. 2016. ‘Overcoming Methodological Challenges for the Geophysical Prospection of Wooden Trackways: An example from Edercloon, Ireland’. WARP30: Wetland Archaeology Research Project. 30th Anniversary Meeting. 28 June – 2 July 2016. School of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford.

Bonsall, J. 2016. ‘Kissed by the Waves’. Achill Archaeological Field School, Achill Island Archaeology Centre, Achill Island, County Mayo, 14 June 2016.

Bonsall, J. 2016. ‘Bronze Age Cist Burial Site at Bunowen, Louisburgh’. Clean Coasts Roadshow, 19 May 2016, Mulranny Park Hotel, Mulranny, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Rathbone, S. and Bonsall, J. 2016. ‘Looking for a pointless answer? Archaeological contributions to the understanding of Signal Tower sites of known date and function’. A Matter of Time, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland 2016 Conference, Menlo Park Hotel, Galway, 29-30 April 2016.

Napora, K., Bonsall, J. and Rathbone, S. 2016. ‘Geoarchaeology of a Dunefield Shell Midden Site in County Sligo, Ireland’. 81st Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology, Orlando, Florida, USA, 6-10 April 2016.

Bonsall, J. 2015. ‘Archaeology of Kilcashel’. Lecture for the Kilmovee Winter Lecture Series, Kilmovee, Co. Mayo, 15 December 2015.

Bonsall, J. 2015. ‘The Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland’. Lecture to the Stones & Bones Archaeological Society, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, 10 December 2015.

Bonsall, J. and Moore, S. 2015. ‘Take a Picture – It Will Last Longer: Use of Low-cost Photogrammetry to Record Vulnerable Coastal Archaeology’. Session on ‘Data Capture, Representation and Reconstruction (Part 2)’, at the Virtual Heritage Network Ireland Conference, Maynooth University, 19-21 November 2015, Book of Abstracts, p29

Harris, C., Gaffney, C., Pope-Carter, F., Bonsall, J., Fry, R. and Parkyn, A. 2015. ‘High Royds: An integrated, analytical approach for mapping the unmarked burials of a pauper cemetery’. 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, University of Warsaw, Poland, 15-19 September 2015

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C., Armit, I. 2015. ‘You know it’s summer in Ireland when the rain gets warmer: Analysing repetitive timelapse earth resistance data to determine ‘optimal’ survey climate conditions’. 11th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, University of Warsaw, Poland, 15-19 September 2015

Bonsall, J. and Moore, S. 2015. ‘The Men and Women behind the MASC Project (Monitoring the Archaeology of Sligo’s Coastline): Engaging local stakeholder groups to monitor vulnerable coastal archaeology in Ireland’. Session on ‘Engaging the Public with Archaeology Threatened by Climate Change’. 21st Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists, 2-5 September 2015, University of Glasgow, Scotland. Available from: https://youtu.be/4WwlpGfwvGk?si=lYXhggpUAgLx5wNQ

Bonsall, J. and Moore, S. 2015. ‘Surf ‘n’ Turf: Archaeological Discoveries by Citizen Scientists Strolling along the Beach’. Citizen Science and GIS Training School. National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland, 21-23 August 2015

Bonsall, J. 2015. ‘There’s always a Secret Tunnel: Folklore, Fact and Fiction in the Kilcashel Landscape Project’, Stones and Bones Academic Research Conference, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland, 17 April 2015

Dowd, M. & Bonsall, J. 2015. ‘Liminality, Lovers and lunch: excavation of a probable fulacht fiadh on Coney Island’, Stones and Bones Academic Research Conference, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland, 17 April 2015

Bonsall, J. and Moore, S. 2015. ‘Introducing the MASC Project – Monitoring the Archaeology of Sligo’s Coastline’. Clean Coasts Roadshow, 19 March 2015, Sligo Yacht Club, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo, Ireland.

Bonsall, J. 2014. ‘Archaeology around the lakes of Claremorris’, Heritage Week, 28 August 2014, Mayfield Community Building, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Bonsall, J. & Loughlin, T. 2014. ‘Reduce, recycle, reconstruct: resurrecting the architecture and landscape of Great Connell Priory, Newbridge, Co. Kildare’, Irish Conference of Medievalists, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, 2 July 2014

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C., Armit, I. and Swan, R. 2014 ‘Tales from Across the Water: Analysing the Irish Experience of Geophysical Surveys’, Commercial Archaeological Geophysics Seminar, Bradford Centre for Archaeological Prospection, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK, 14 March 2014 available at https://youtu.be/rgzcJfYujPw?si=ghARsrKqp_H2OAHS

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C., Gaffney, V., Gimson, H., Chapple, R.M. & Neubauer, W. 2013 ‘Tonight we’re going to party like it’s 1985! The Archaeology of Festivals in Geophysical Data’, Archaeology of Gatherings, IT Sligo, Sligo, Ireland, 26 October 2013

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C., Sparrow, T. & Armit, I. 2013 ‘Multi Depth Electromagnetic Surveys in Ireland: Increasing our chances of detecting archaeological features’, 10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria, 30 May 2013

Bonsall J., Gaffney, C., Armit, I. 2013 ‘Digging the Dirt: Ground Truthing, Feedback and Statistics from Irish Magnetometer Surveys’, 10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria, 30 May 2013.

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2013 ‘I would walk Ten Thousand Miles: What have we learnt from Geophysical Legacy Data collected on road schemes?’, The Legacy of Development-Led Archaeology, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Spring Conference, Pearse Hotel, Dublin, Ireland, 6 April 2013

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2012 ‘Did we find anything? Feedback and Statistical Analysis of Ground Truthed Magnetometer Data’, Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics, Near Surface Geophysics Group, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, 4 December 2012

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C., Sparrow, T. & Armit, I. 2012 ‘Multi Depth Electromagnetic Survey – Changing the way we prospect for archaeology?’, Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics, Near Surface Geophysics Group, The Geological Society, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, 4 December 2012

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2012 ‘What Lies Beneath: Identifying buried archaeology before road construction using non-destructive geophysical methods’, Transport Research Arena 2012 Conference, Athens, Greece

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2011 ‘Magnetic surveys are failing to find Archaeology: An analysis of legacy data from the West of Ireland’, 9th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, 21 September 2011

Bonsall, J. 2011 ‘A Brief History of Archaeological Geophysics in Ireland’, Achill Archaeological Field School, Achill Island Archaeology Centre, Achill Island, County Mayo, 2nd August 2011.

Bonsall, J. 2011 ‘4 Months of Research: Overview, Findings and Suggestions’, NRA Archaeology Section Meeting, St. Martins House, Waterloo Road, Dublin, 3rd February 2011.

Bonsall, J. 2010 ‘Magnetic Fields: The Irish Problem’, Geoarchaeological Soils Research Group, Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, 17 November 2010.

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2010 ‘Ten Seasons of Geophysics: Reappraising the use of Geophysical Surveys on National Road Scheme Excavations 2001-2010, before, during and after’, A Season of Excavation: Before, During and After, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, Autumn Conference, Days Hotel, Belfast, 5-6 November 2010.

Barton, K. & Bonsall, J. 2010 ‘Wetland Geophysics: Some Applications in Irish Archaeological Settings’, Lecture for Dept of Archaeology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology study visit to Ireland, Westport Inn, Westport, Co. Mayo, 13 March 2010.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2010 ‘Wetland Geophysics: Some Applications in Irish Archaeological Settings’, Wetland Archaeology in Ireland and Beyond, University College Dublin, 6-7 February 2010.

Bonsall, J. & O’Brien, R. 2009 Geophysical Investigations in the Royal Fort of Rathnadrinna, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Old Cashel Society, Cashel Library, 25 November 2009.

O’Brien, R. & Bonsall, J. 2009 ‘Geophysical Investigations in the Royal Fort of Rathnadrinna, Cashel, Co. Tipperary’, Current Research in Irish Archaeology, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, Autumn Conference, Jury’s Hotel, Cork, 6-7 November 2009.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2009 ‘Multi-method Geophysical Survey Reveals Some Secrets of the Stones’, Clonmacnoise Studies 3, Clonmacnoise National School, 3 October 2009.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2008 ‘Investigating enclosures: one geophysical tool or many?’, World Archaeology Congress 6, University College Dublin, 29 June to 4 July 2008.

Stenvik, L., Barton, K., Bonsall, J., Gimson, H. & Randolph, C. 2008 ‘Cropmarks in the landscape; a Chieftain’s Hall near Stiklestad, Nord-Trondelag, Norway?’ World Archaeology Congress 6, University College Dublin, 29 June to 4 July 2008.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2007 ‘Underground, under mound and underwear; some archaeological places that research and commercial GPR surveys have taken us’, Ground Penetrating Radar in the Built and Natural Environment, Geophysical Association of Ireland Seminar ’07, Green Isle Hotel, Newland’s Cross, Dublin, 23 May 2007.

Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2007 ‘The Battle of Cheriton and Prospection Techniques’, Conflict Archaeology, Battle of Aughrim Interpretative Centre, Aughrim, County Galway, 24-25 March 2007.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J., Gimson, H. & O’Brien, R. 2004 ‘Woodstown Viking Enclosure, Co. Waterford, Ireland’ Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics, Environmental and Industrial Geophysics Group, Geological Society, Burlington House, London, 15 December 2004.

Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2004 ‘Archaeological Geophysics and Forensic Anthropology’, Forensic Identification Group of Ireland, University College Dublin, 2 November 2004.

Schmidt, A. & Bonsall, J. 2002 ‘Archaeological Evaluation of the Multi-Frequency Electromagnetic Slingram Device GEM-300’ Recent Work in Archaeological Geophysics, Environmental & Industrial Geophysics Group, Geological Society, Burlington House, London, 17 December 2002.

Bonsall, J. 2001 ‘A practical archaeo-geophysical assessment of the GEM-300’ New Research in Archaeology and Archaeological Sciences, Department of Archaeological Sciences, University of Bradford, 9-11 May 2001.

Posters

Bonsall, J., Fry, R., Pope-Carter, F., Gaffney, C. and Armit, I. 2013 ‘Mapping Prehistoric Wooden Trackways using Time Domain Induced Polarisation’, 10th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria, 30 May 2013

Bonsall, J., Gaffney, C. & Armit, I. 2011 ‘Long & Winding Roads: Reappraising 170 Geophysical Surveys from 71 Irish Road Schemes’, 15 minute Poster Presentation, 9th International Conference on Archaeological Prospection, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey, 21 September 2011

Bonsall, J. 2008 ‘Beep, Beep, Beep – A Short History of Archaeological Geophysics in Ireland’, Poster Session, Advances in technical methods in Irish archaeology, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, Autumn Conference 2008, Clarion Hotel, Sligo, 17-19 October 2008.

Bonsall, J., Gimson, H., Barton, K., Stenvik, L., Birgisdóttir, B. & Sæther, T. 2008 ‘Geophysics and Archaeology: 2D & 3D Methods of Investigation applied to Archaeological Sites in Norway’ Poster Session, 9th Nordic Conference on the Application of Scientific Methods in Archaeology – SMIA, National University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, 11-14 September 2008.

Bonsall, J., Gimson, H., Barton, K. & Brockman, A. 2008 ‘Conflict Archaeology: Archaeological Geophysics and Remote Sensing’, Poster Session, World Archaeology Congress 6, University College Dublin, 29 June to 4 July 2008.

Barton, K., Bonsall, J. & Gimson, H. 2007 ‘The role of archaeological geophysics in development-led housing, road and tourism projects in Ireland’ Securing the Future: 69th European Association of Geologists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition, 11 -14 June 2007, ExCeL, London. Extended Abstracts & Exhibitors Catalogue, 105. CD-ROM, ISBN 978-90-73781-54-2. EAGE, Houte.