Dr. Michelle Comber
(Archaeology, NUI, Galway)

The role of the university in community archaeology – from classroom to Caherconnell

Community archaeology groups can be quite diverse, yet unified by an interest in the past. A university course can increase the value of that interest for both participant and project. NUI, Galway offers part-time diploma programmes in Archaeology, with many of its graduates working in community archaeology and, indeed, as professionals in the heritage sector. The excavations at Caherconnell, Co. Clare demonstrate the contribution community volunteers with a university diploma can make. This talk will briefly outline the diploma options, and then use the work at Caherconnell as an example of what a knowledgeable community can achieve.
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NUI Galway archaeology-diploma graduates as part of the excavation team at Caherconnell Cashel, Co. Clare.
​Dr. Michelle Comber lectures in Archaeology at NUI, Galway and is currently manager of the department’s evening and online programmes. Her research interests lie mainly in the archaeology of Ireland's Early Medieval and Medieval periods. She directs an ongoing research project in the Burren, Co. Clare.