Details on Archaeology Conference 2012

Fáilte go dtí Rath Crúachan

Rathcroghan, County Roscommon – one of the ‘Celtic Royal Sites’ of Ireland has been recognised by UNESCO in 2010 as having the potential for World Heritage Status.  In coming years, the Rathcroghan Royal Complex will stand alongside Newgrange and Tara as a place through which Irish and international visitors can connect with our ancient past.

Rathcroghan was the seat of Royalty in the West of Ireland for nearly 2000 years.  Here, you can explore Irish history through the ages; walk the land of Celtic Warrior Queen Maeve, see where the great bulls fought their epic battle in the Cattle Raid of Cooley, follow the Druid’s quest for knowledge to the sacred triple spring of healing, stand where the Gaelic Kings stood to fight invading tyranny and receive their rightful crowns.

Cruachan Aí Heritage Centre interprets for you the Rathcroghan Complex, an area with over 200 sites and many stories. including Oweynagat (Cave of the Cats) the entrance to the Celtic Otherworld and home to the Goddess Morrigan;  which is located between Cashel Mannannan – a druid school connected with Manannán Mac Lír – and Cruachan, the home of Warrior Queen Medb (Maeve Queen of Connacht) who started The Cattle Raid of Cooley (an Táin).

Developed by a local community action group, the award winning exhibition rooms, cafe and craft shop first opened in 1999.

At Cruachan Aí, you will enjoy a genuinely warm Irish welcome, a professional guided tour, and excellent facilities to refresh the weary traveller, including a satisfying meal in our on-site Café and the opportunity to browse locally produced art work, hand crafts, specialist books and unique gifts for your friends and family.

To view the range of products and services we have available, please browse the links to your left.  Options include:

• Fully insured guided tours of the sites with a qualified, experienced archaeologist
• Educational school tours and workshops for all ages, based on the National Curriculum
• Guided exploration of Ireland’s Spiritual past and present
• Community events, adult education, self development opportunities
• Conference, product launch, birthday parties, room hire facilities
• Our quality online shopping experience
• Free resources such as educational links and downloads

Come and explore the undiscovered heartland of Ireland’s West – Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon.

Cruachan Aí are proud to be
part of the ArchaeoLandscapes network

The target of the ArchaeoLandscapes project is to address existing imbalances in the use of modern surveying and remote sensing techniques and to create conditions for the regular use of these strikingly successful techniques across the Continent as a whole. It aims to create a self-sustaining network to support the use throughout Europe of aerial survey and ‘remote sensing’ to promote understanding, conservation and public enjoyment of the shared landscape and archaeological heritage of the countries of the European Union.

The project’s long-term legacy will be better appreciation of the landscape and archaeological heritage of Europe, closer contact between heritage professionals and the general public, more effective conservation of the shared cultural heritage, the international sharing of skills and employment opportunities, better public and professional education, the wider use of archive resources and modern survey techniques, and higher professional standards in landscape exploration and conservation.