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Community Engagement and Archaeology
The Department of Archaeology in UCC is a public service body with a strong record of supporting community and public heritage interests. Our aim is to promote a greater appreciation of archaeology among the general public and community organizations, and in so doing contribute to the protection and recording of archaeological heritage. To achieve this, it is necessary to make our teaching and research accessible to a non-academic audience, with particular emphasis on community engagement in the Munster region. This can lead to a valuable exchange of information where local groups communicate details of archaeological discoveries, and receive academic opinion to establish their significance, in a process that involves State bodies dealing with the registration and protection of these finds.
The following are the main areas of community engagement for the Department of Archaeology at UCC:
Archaeology societies
The Department supports the programmes run by local and regional archaeology societies, field clubs and special interest heritage groups, by offering talks and field excursions of interest to their members. This is always done on a no-fee basis, and provides an important connection to these bodies. Archaeology staff often become involved in the organization of these groups, and contribute articles and editorial assistance to their journals and magazines.
Community projects
The Department regularly advises the general public, local societies and other bodies on matters relating to archaeological heritage. This might relate to tourism initiatives and conservation projects, or concerns raised over proposed developments that might impact on archaeological heritage
Adult education
The Department supports community groups through adult education programmes offered within and outside of UCC. We offer evening courses to adult learners, including the Certificate in Arts (Archaeology) and the Certificate in Cultural Heritage Tourism.
Schools
UCC Archaeology offers support to primary and second-level schools on request. We give talks to primary and secondary schools on archaeology topics and also run open days for these students within the Department and at visits to our excavation projects.
Media and publication
The Department contributes news items to local and national newspapers, television and radio. These relate to our own research discoveries, as well as expert opinion on archaeology issues, including matters of concern in respect to destruction of cultural heritage.
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