Funding sought for new Dun Ailinne 'dig'

Anthropologist Susan Johnston is applying for funding to carry out two summers of excavation at Dun Ailinne, writes Brian Byrne.

This is the next step after a number of years of electronic geophysical exploration of the ancient site, which was previously excavated between 1968-1974 by the late Professor Bernard Wailes.

Dr Johnston, Professor of Anthropology at George Washington University, became interested in the site when she decided to work with Professor Wailes to publish the definitive report on the excavations he carried out on the hill.

That report was completed and was given a special Irish launch at the dedication of the Dun Ailinne Intepretive Park in July of 2008, over a weekend of events at which Dr Wailes was guest of honour. He's pictured below on Dun Ailinne during that weekend, recalling his work there. He died in April of this year.



"The site dates to about 2,000 years ago, and tells us important things about life in Ireland during the Iron Age," Dr Johnston says about her grant application to the National Science Foundation in the United States. "Digging can be expensive because we have to buy the tools and other equipment we need, get people to the site, and get them food to eat and a place to stay while we are digging."

Dun Ailinne is the largest pre-Norman earthen enclosure in Ireland, covering some 44 acres. The ditch or 'henge' which circumscribes it is the best preserved and largest such feature in Ireland.

Dr Johnston's research in recent years, since 2006, has mapped about 25 percent of the site and revealed the existence of other ancient elements under the ground.

The prehistoric royal gathering place, which is on private land owned by the Thompson family, has been mooted for UNESCO World Heritage status.

The Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park was developed at Nicholastown by Kilcullen Community Action.