Memorial gathering for Dr Bernard Wailes
Dr Wailes, Associate Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, was in charge of the archaeological excavations of Dun Ailinne in the late 60s/early 70s which are the basis for a much deeper understanding of the ancient royal site outside Kilcullen, currently being considered for UNESCO World Heritage status.
In July 2008, on the weekend of the official opening of the Dun Ailinne Interpretive Park, Professor Wailes was guest of honour, and was presented with a specially-compiled booklet of visual memories from the original and current works on the site, and the new Interpretive Park, by Kieran Forde, chairman of Kilcullen Community Action.
The gathering, at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Rainey Auditorium, will include reminiscences from colleagues and friends. Anyone from Kilcullen who remembers, or who may have worked with Dr Wailes on the Kilcullen excavations, is welcome to send in their own memories to the event, by email to tenat@upenn.edu.
A Memorial Fund has been established and contributions will support undergraduate research activities at the Penn Museum, where Dr Wailes was Associate Curator Emeritus of European Archaeology. Any such contributions can be sent to Lisa Batt, Development Office, Penn Museum, 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Please make cheques payable to 'Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania' with 'Bernard Wailes Memorial Fund' in the memo line.
Professor Wailes's work at Dun Ailinne unearthed a complex sequence of constructions and ‘finds’ demonstrating Neolithic/Early Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval occupation.
Dr Susan Johnston, a colleague of Dr Wailes who edited his final report on the excavations, restarted investigations at Dun Ailinne in 2006, using non invasive methods, and these have corroborated and extended the knowledge gained during the original excavations. She is currently seeking funding for further work on the site.
