American archaeology group here for Dun Ailinne dig

Photos: Nessa Dunlea.

After missing out last summer because of covid, an American archaeology student group who come on a regular basis to Dun Ailinne to continue investigations on the site, have arrived in Kilcullen for the 2021 session, writes Brian Byrne.

They are here with Dr Susan Johnston from the Department of Anthropology at George Washington University, who has been conducting investigations on Dun Ailinne for many summers now. She collaborated with the late Dr Bernard Wailes, who carried out the original surveys on the hill in the 1970s, to produce his final report on his findings.

The dig is being assisted by the Blackfriary Archaeology Field School. This year's students are pictured meeting with some of their host families and celebrating American Independence Day in true Irish style.

The continuing work and the results being obtained are very encouraging for the future possibilities at the site, which is still on the UNESCO assessment list for designation as a World Heritage location along with Tara, Knoc Cruachain (Co Roscommon), and Amhain Macha (Navan Fort, Armagh).

The site is on private property owned by the Thompson family and is not open to the public.

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