Deserted Burren villages the subject of community archaeology project

A DESERTED village in North Clare will be the subject of a public talk and open day later this month.

The event will be presented by a team of Irish and US archaeologists who have started survey work at Lios an Rú, a 19th century deserted village on the hill above Newtown castle.
The archaeologists involved are from NUI Galway and the State Museum of the University of New York State. Their work is part of an initiative at NUI Galway to investigate the daily lives and work of women, children and men in the Burren before, during and after the Famine. The project will have a number of elements including research, education and community archaeology.
The distinguished US Professor, Charles Orser is co-directing the project with NUI Galway archaeologist Maggie Ronayne.
Commenting on the open day, Ms Ronayne invited inputs from the public, “We are looking forward to hearing everyone’s views. A lot of people have a great knowledge of how communities like these tenant villages in the Burren survived and what they accomplished before, during and after the famine. If your family came from these villages or you have information about their history, if you know of other deserted villages, have any questions or are just interested to know more, we’d love to meet you.”
The open day, which will take place from 10am to 5pm on Sunday will conclude with a talk on Lios An Rú and 19th century deserted villages around Ballyvaughan at 7.30pm in the Burren College of Art in Newtown.
Anyone wishing to become involved in a community archaeology project related to the investigations is invited to come along and meet the archaeologists during the open day. All events are free and open to the public and supported by NUI Galway.