CPD Events 2023

An Introduction to Field Walking Techniques for Ploughzone Archaeology

This one-day introductory training CPD course will take place on Saturday April 15th in Carlow. Led by Dr Conor Brady of the Department of Humanities in DKIT, it aims to will enable participants learn how to set up effective recording controls for systematic field walking, carry out field walking with the supervision of a trainer who will assist in helping you identify materials of archaeological significance. The course will show how to record the finds, analyze the finds distribution and be familiar with best practice in terms of storing, recording and handing materials to the statutory authorities.

Further detail on this CPD are attached HERE. Spaces are extremely limited, to register please email Niamh at iaiarchaeology@gmail.com

Environmental CPD with the Environmental Archaeology in Ireland and the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland

Event title: Environmental remains from archaeological excavations: an introduction to sampling and analysis.

Date: Wednesday 15th March 2023
Venue: Ardmore Annexe, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4

Course Outline: The aim of the one-day course is to highlight the importance of recovering and studying
environmental remains from Irish archaeological sites and the contribution that such studies can
make to our understanding of the interaction with and the impact on the environment of past peoples.
The course will introduce participants to a range of environmental material via introductory presentations and ‘hands on’ laboratory practical sessions. The focus will be on a range of environmental remains: –
(i) Micro plant remains as proxies, principally pollen.
(ii) Plant macro remains of wood and charcoal.
(iii) Plant macro remains of fruits, seeds, and grains.
(iv) Micro faunal remains principally the insects.
(v) Soil micromorphology: a principal technique of the geoarchaeologist.
(vi) Phytoliths and dental calculus.
The talks will put in place some basic introductory information. The emphasis will be on participation
from attendees.

Presentations and practicals are divided on the basis of main preservation conditions of the biological
environmental remains; either by becoming charred in various types of fire or by becoming
incorporated in a waterlogged – anoxic/anaerobic – environment. In the micromorphology session
the participants will be introduced to the issues that micromorphology can address, the types of
deposit that can be sampled and the basics of analysis. Similarly, there will be a demonstration of the
potential for the study of phytoliths and dental calculus.

Sampling strategies will also be examined, with reference to the TII Palaeo-Environmental Sampling Guidelines and other approaches.

The workshop will start at 10am and finish at 4-20 pm.

Presenters/Trainers: The trainers are Members of Environmental Archaeology in Ireland.

• Dr Steve Davis (School of Archaeology, University College Dublin) (insects)
• Nikolah Gilligan (Independent specialist) (plant macro-remains)
• Dr Penny Johnston (School of Archaeology, University College Dublin) (plant macro-remains)
• Dr Helen Lewis (School of Archaeology, University College Dublin) (geoarchaeology and
  micromorphology)
• Dr Karen Molloy (Geography, Archaeology, and Irish Studies NUI Galway) (Pollen and Micro-
  remains)
• Dr Ellen O’Carroll (Independent specialist) (wood and charcoal)
• Dr Robert C. Power (SFI-IRC Pathway fellow at the School of Archaeology, University College
  Dublin). (phytoliths and dental calculus)
• Dr Daisy Spencer (Independent specialist based in Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies NUI
  Galway) (pollen and micro remains)
• Dr David Stone

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this workshop, the participants will:

1. Understand how sampling strategies can be applied during the excavation process,
2. Experience how specialists identify common types of plant macro-remains, pollen,
   wood and insects and the study of micro-morphology samples from archaeological deposits.
3. Be familiar with available guidance and the benefits of applying such guidance.

Registration:
This course is free to all IAI members; however, places are extremely limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Members can book their place on this course by emailing Niamh at iaiarchaeology@gmail.com

Please note: Tea/coffee will be available free. LUNCH is not included.

Public parking is available on the UCD campus, parking fee apply in carparks and clamping is in operation.
Please note: We will allocate places on a first-come first-served basis.

Royal Irish Academy Grants schemes Information Session

The IAI in collaboration with the Royal Irish Academy will have a lunchtime CPD information session on the Royal Irish Academy grants schemes online on Friday, March 10th, at 1pm.

Jessica Smyth, Member of the Standing Committee for Archaeology and Niamh McCabe, RIA Grants Manager will give a brief outline of the various funding schemes offered by the RIA to support archaeological research. They will outline the requirements for each scheme and the opportunities for research as well as touching on some case studies and answering any questions potential applicants might have about the schemes. There are some important changes to the schemes this year, with the World Heritage Sites scheme widened to include sites on the Tentative List, and applicants now able to cost in their own time on a project.

This session will cover not only the three grant schemes currently open RIA grants but all five grant schemes which run throughout the year.

To register for this session, please contact Niamh at iaiarchaeology@gmail.com.

TBC – Pottery Analysis course

A four-part online course with Clare McCutcheon, starting 11th March (TBC). Places for this will be limited and designed for those who seriously intend to examine ceramic material on a professional basis. The course will only be open to IAI members and further details, including how to register, will be announced shortly.

TBC – Field-walking CPD
A full-day field-walking CPD with Conor Brady in Co. Carlow in April 2023 (dates TBC)

Previous CPD Events

CPD – Archaeology: adding value to development and construction (online)

With speakers Kate Geary and Ciara Brett, at 1pm, 15th February 2022

This CPD workshop will focus on the social, environmental and economic gains to be achieved when archaeology is integrated within construction projects. Using case studies to illustrate the benefits successful management of archaeology in construction can bring, the workshop be of interest to a wide range of built environment professionals who engage with archaeology as part of their work. Further information and registration HERE

The Board of the IAI would like to acknowledge and thank the Heritage Council

for their continued support and funding for all of our CPD events run throughout 2021

CPD Events 2021 (all events delivered online until further notice)

CPD – Conservation in Common (9th Dec, 1pm)

The first lunchtime session of the ‘Conservation in Common’ programme, entitled ‘Informed conservation: understanding significance to manage change in the historic environment’, will take place on Thursday 9 December at 1pm.

This session will provide an overview of a holistic, values-based approach to conservation, based on understanding the asset and its setting, and reflected in the recent draft NI Conservation Principles.  It will explain the concept of Significance, which provides the essential foundation for all projects involving change to the historic environment, regardless of their scale or complexity, firmly rooted in international heritage protection policy. See full details on the RSUA website

This cross-disciplinary series of events for professionals will have four online lunchtime events – a bundle cost of £40+VAT.

Our other events will follow in the new year:

• Tuesday 15 February 2022 – Archaeology: adding value to development and construction. More
• Thursday 10 March 2022 – Saving the 21^st More
• Thursday 7 April 2022 – Sustainability and the SPAB approach. More

Conservation in Common is run in partnership with The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA), The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) Northern Ireland Branch, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) Ireland, Building Control NI (BCNI) and the Department for Communities Historic Environment Division (HED)

CPD Exploring our Vernacular Heritage (22nd Oct, 2pm)

The IAI is pleased to announce a CPD presentation by Barry O’Reilly of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, on Friday 22nd October, at 2 pm. This seeks to highlight the distinctiveness of our vernacular heritage as the most fundamental and enduring aspect of human activity. Its relevance for the archaeologist is illustrated through exploring its materials and crafts, buildings and settings, as well as the various layers of the vernacular landscape.

Barry has been researching and writing on the built vernacular heritage in Ireland and abroad for several decades. He has lectured extensively at UCD, TCD and elsewhere, is author of Living under Thatch (2004), co-author of Ballyknockan: a Wicklow stone-cutters village (1997) and numerous articles for journals. He is editor for Europe in the forthcoming revised edition of the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World. Over the last decade and a half, vernacular settlements/hamlets and the vernacular/traditional landscape have been his principal research interests. Based at the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage since 2003, he is responsible for the forthcoming ‘A Living Tradition: a three-year strategy for our built vernacular heritage’.

Interested members can contact secretary@iai.ie to register for this free WebEx event.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Archaeology and the Heritage Council (15th Oct, 2pm)

The IAI is delighted to announce an online  CPD event by Ian Doyle of the Heritage Council, on Friday 15th October, at 2pm.

Ian will describe the work of the Heritage Council across its many programmes and will describe the main kinds of funding schemes that are available. Details on archaeological projects and in particular those involving community approaches will also be covered.

Ian Doyle is Head of Conservation with the Heritage Council and is currently chair of the Royal Irish Academy Standing Committee on Archaeology.

Interested members can contact secretary@iai.ie to register for this free WebEx event.

——————————————————————————————————————————-

IAI are pleased to accept registrations from those who wish to attend a lunchtime CPD event addressing the matter of informed sampling as it assists in the development of chronological models and form an integral part of the Bayesian approach. The event titled Informed Sampling, Taphonomy, context and the Bayesian approach is delivered by Dr. Katharina Becker and Dr. Derek Hamilton on Friday 9th July at 1- 2.30pm. The event with introduce the concept of Informed Sampling which is key to effective and meaningful post-ex analysis, in particular, but not restricted to, radiocarbon dating. The trainers will be using real-life examples to demonstrate how reflection on the relevance of contexts and the relationship of potential samples to these contexts ensures that radiocarbon dates and other specialist data generated are meaningful and useable. Such well-selected samples are critical for the development of chronological models and form an integral part of the Bayesian approach.

 

IAI are pleased to accept registrations to attend a lunchtime CPD event dealing with important changes to the Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) system. These changes will affect all archaeologists who provide services to Government bodies.

The online event Introduction to ePSWT – going paperless and how it affects your business will be delivered by Brian Farrell, Revenue Commissioners on Friday 21 May 2021 from 1-2pm

Brian Farrell works in the Systems Support Branch of Personal Division in Revenue.  He is the Business owner for the development, maintenance and testing of key corporate Revenue systems including the Common Registration System database (CRS), Revenue Online Service (ROS), Integrated Contacts (iC – Revenue’s customer contact management system) and elements of Integrated Taxation System (ITS, Revenue’s processing and financial system).

Elements of ITS under his remit include being the business owner of systems for the following taxheads – Capital Gains, Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Relevant Contracts Tax, some incentives including Help to Buy and Home Renovation. Previous projects he has led include eTax Clearance.

IAI are pleased to accept registrations from IAI members to attend a lunchtime CPD event dealing with aspects of setting up and running a business as an archaeologist on Friday 23 April 2021 from 1-2pm online. This event is aimed towards Early Career Archaeologists who may be unfamiliar with the steps and requirements needed to run a business successfully. The event titled ‘Starting a business for early career archaeologists’ is delivered by Jane Byrne, Chartered Accountant (ACA), Chartered Tax Consultant (CTC)

The session will address:

Introduction to Revenue, ROS, My Enquiries, Filing Deadlines & Tax Clearance Status

Trading as a Self Employed individual, dealing with VAT & PAYE and when one should move in a company trading entity

Managing book-keeping on a daily/weekly/monthly basis and how to maintain records as required by Revenue

General discussions on pitfalls and issues that may arise when trading with Revenue/Lending Institutions/Assessment Treatment etc

Jane Byrne’s practice (www.jbca.ie) is based in Tullamore, and has been trading for nearly 5 years as JBCA – myself being the business owner but working with a great team of employees with a wealth of knowledge and experience amongst the team. We service all industries, trades, entity structures etc covering Income Tax, VAT, PAYE, RCT, Corporation Tax long with offering tax planning services and advices on CAT & CGT

While the event is aimed towards early career archaeologists, all IAI members should get something out of attending this session, which will include a questions session after a 35minute presentation.

If you wish to register a place, please complete the registration form – Registration Form – 23.4.21 and email to iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

IAI are pleased to open registrations for a lunchtime online CPD talk by Dr. Niall Colfer (Assistant City Archaeologist, Dublin City Council) titled Corn and Flour Mills in Dublin: Context, Sources and Excavations on Friday 16th April 2021 at 1pm. The talk will be followed by a short questions and answer session and close at 2pm.

If you wish to register a place, please complete the registration form – Registration Form – 16.4.21 and email to iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

Niall Colfer is originally from Wexford in the southeast of Ireland. Having received a BA in archaeology from University College Dublin (UCD) in 1995, he then spent over a decade on medieval and post-medieval archaeological excavations, mainly in the Dublin region. An interest in millstone production was developed as a result of having grown up in close proximity to millstone quarries on the Hook Peninsula in Co. Wexford. An MA (2009) and subsequent Irish Research Council funded PhD (2016), were undertaken in University College Dublin, both of which were focused on millstone quarry research.  Niall’s PhD was titled Turning Stone into Bread: The Millstone Quarries of Medieval and Post-Medieval Ireland. Since March 2018 Niall has been employed by Dublin City Council as Assistant City Archaeologist.

IAI are pleased to be accepting registrations to an online lunchtime CPD event titled The Irish Post Medieval Archaeology Group – what we do and why we do it delivered by Dr. James Lyttleton (Chair of IPMAG). This event is a collaborative CPD event between IAI and IPMAG and will take place on Friday 26 March 2021 at 1pm.

The talk will address some of the IPMAG’s advocacy work in relation to proposed heritage legislation and some of the projects relating to post medieval heritage that are progressing. The talk will be followed by a short questions and answer session and close at 2pm.

To register for the event, please complete the registration form  – Registration Form – 26.3.21 and return by email to iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

IAI are pleased to open registrations to an online events titled Introduction to video content and editing for those working in the heritage sector. The training consists of three 60minute online sessions and will require practical input on the part of the participants, to enable them generate materials they will edit. The training takes place on 1st, 3rd and 5th March 2021.

This event is the inaugural collaborative training event between IAI and the Irish Community Archive Network (iCAN) to development skills and contacts between members of both organisations. As this is a practical event, places are limited on this occasion to 10 IAI members (we will maintain a reserve list). This is a free event, open to all members in good standing and places are allocated on a first-come first-serve basis.

If you wish to register to take part in the CPD event, please download complete the Registration form below and return to iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

We would like to thank iCAN for providing the trainer and developing this partnership and we wish to thank our funding bodies Heritage Council, National Monuments Service, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Creative Ireland

Full details and course outline  – IAI – iCAN CPD Course Outline Feb 2021

Registration form – Registration Form – IAI iCAN Mar 2021

CPD Events 2020 –

With the ongoing Covid pandemic and resultant restrictions in place, IAI are unable to deliver any face to face training as was our usual format. The IAI has adapted, as so many of our members and partner organisations and we are developing new CPD content with suppliers and trainers to be delivered online suitable to the needs of our members.

The Institute is developing a lunchtime CPD series of events, that will take place between 1-2pm during the working week. The first one takes place in November 202o.

As our first online CPD event, IAI are pleased to open registrations for a partnership training series of webinars with the Irish Geological Association (IGA). The webinars are a suite of four sessions on the topic of Rocks Used by Our Ancestors, delivered by Prof. Ian Sanders (Fellow Emeritus TCD). The webinars take place at 7-8pm on Tuesday 10, 17, 24 November and 1 December 2020 via Zoom platform. Full details – (click link) Rocks Used by of Our Ancestors (IGA:IAI) online course November 2020

Please book before Friday 6th November to secure your place.

Lunchtime CPD – November 2020:

IAI are delighted to announce that Dr. Faye Sayer will run a webinar on the topic of Wellbeing and Archaeology in the Virtual Environment on the Institute’s Cisco Webex platform on Friday 27 November 2020 from 1-2pm.

The session explores the relationship between archaeology and wellbeing, examining the role that archaeology and archaeologists can play in positively impacting individual and community wellbeing. Case studies are used to illustrate how archaeologists can evaluate the impact of their organisations and projects, on visitor, participant, volunteer and staff wellbeing. We will consider the pandemic’s impact on wellbeing and on archaeology, and the ability of virtual archaeology to help support wellbeing. There will be an opportunity to explore future strategies for integrating wellbeing objectives into archaeology programmes and projects.

Dr. Faye Sayer is a Reader in Community Archaeology and Public History at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her research specialism is in the value and impact of archaeology to the public and community, specifically its impact on wellbeing. Dr Sayer has worked for some of the UK’s most significant heritage organisations, including English Heritage, The Portable Antiquities Scheme, and the Museum of London. She has developed and evaluated public archaeology heritage projects, around the world in the UK, US, Europe, Australia, Nigeria and India and is currently directing an international research project – “Heritage and Well-being: Creating Healthier Societies Through Heritage” – funded by the British Academy.

This event is open to IAI members. Registrations can be made by emailing your willingness to attend to – iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com. Once registered, you will receive an email invitation to login, the day before the event.

CPD Events 2019 –

Due to circumstances beyond the organisers control and forecast adverse weather conditions, IAI/UCD have agreed to reschedule this event to the Spring of 2020.

IAI is delighted to offer an experimental archaeology CPD workshop delivered by UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, University College Dublin.

The workshop titled Early medieval iron smelting workshop for archaeologists will take place on Saturday 7 December 2019 in the Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture within the grounds of UCD. The trainers are Dr. Brendan O’Neill and Prof. Aidan O’Sullivan.

This event will focus on early medieval technologies, allowing attendees to actively participate in an iron smelt. This workshop is part of a series designed to engage with professionals, researchers and interested parties at all levels.

By participating in this workshop attendees will be able to better understand the range of archaeological indicators for iron smelting and their implications. These include the indicative archaeological evidence of burnt spreads, pits, charcoal spreads, fire-reddened soil, furnace fragments, and wastes, generally catagorised as ‘slag’.

Registration is essential as places are limited due to the practical nature of the training

Full details – Course outline and Schedule

Registration form – Registration-Form-7.12.19

Dual themed weekend event (Due to circumstances beyond our control this event was re-scheduled to Spring 2020)
Lithic production techniques in University College Dublin. Trainer Dr. Bredan O’Neill
Field Walking Techniques at Skerries Mills, Skerries, Dublin. Trainer Dr. Conor Brady

Previous CPD events 2019

Prehistoric pottery: techniques, inclusions, analysis on Saturday 27 April 2019 in the Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture within the grounds of UCD. The trainer is Dr. Brendan O’Neill, UCD.

The event in partnership with UCD under the IAI CPD programme will bring the participants through the stages of the techniques involved in prehistoric pottery production. Training will be done experientially, with participants learning through doing. The participants will prepare the clay and during the course of the day, produce a pottery vessel and learn about the decoration applied to the vessel, as it was in prehistoric times. The course will commence at 9am, with registration from 8.45am.

Lunch in not included in the course fee and people are advised to bring a packed lunch. There are facilities available on the campus. Advance booking is essential and further details will be emailed to registered attendees.

Registration form: 1901 Registration-Form-27.4.19 (click to download) to be returned to CPD Coordinator – iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – regulations, devices and usefulness for archaeologists on Friday 17th May 2019 in Knowth House, Brú Na Bóinne World Heritage Site, Co. Meath. The trainers are John Lalor (Senior Photographer, National Monuments Service), Dr. Paul Naessens (Western Aerial Survey/NUIG), Dr. Steve Davis (School of Archaeology, UCD), and Kevin Heuston (Drone Media Ltd)

The IAI would like to thank the Office of Public Work for granting permission to use UAV/Drones for training on the World Heritage Site and thereby enabling IAI deliver a unique opportunity for archaeologists to learn about UAV’s as they become more commonly used both inside and outside the profession.

This is an afternoon event and registration is from 1.30pm. Practical flight instruction will commence at 6pm until 8pm (weather dependent). Advance booking is essential, so please reserve your place or email and pay online. Payment can be taken at registration, plus ensure you have reserved a place before attending – iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

Course outline – UAV/ Drone Brú Na Bóinne CPD course outline (click to download)

Registration form: Registration Form – 17.5.19 (click to download) to be returned to CPD Coordinator – iaiarchaeology[@]gmail.com

Sampling for environmental remains on archaeological excavations: wood, seeds, pollen and insects on Friday 14th June 2019 in Ardmore Annexe, School of Archaeology, University College Dublin with the Members of Environmental Archaeology in Ireland hosted by UCD

The one-day workshop will consist of presentations and supporting practical laboratory sessions. Charred and waterlogged remains of plant macro-remains, pollen, wood and insects will be investigated. Sampling strategies will also be examined, with reference to the TII Palaeo-Environmental Sampling Guidelines ( https://www.tiipublications.ie/downloads/SRM/28-TII_palaeo-environmental-sampling_guidelines_Dec-2015.pdf ) and other approaches. The workshop will start at 10am and finish at 4pm.

Advance booking is required as this seminar involves  planned laboratory sessions.

Course outline – Environmental sampling CPD course outline

Course registration – Registration Form – 14.6.19

Best practice in the identification, recording and retrieval of bones for archaeologists on Saturday 21st September 2019 in Greenhills Hotel, Limerick City. Trainer Dr. Fiona Beglane (Sligo IT)/ Dr. Lynda Lynch (Independent Osteoarchaeologist)

This one day workshop offer participants to learn about both human and animal bone as found in archaeological contexts and best practice in recording and processing remains. The course involves formalised presentations and practical workshops. The event is open to IAI and non-IAI members and will be of interest to archaeologists and archaeological managers.

Course outline – Human and Animal bone CPD workshop 21.9.19

Course registration – Registration Form – 21.9.19

Underwater Cultural Heritage in Ireland: Process, Practice and Preservation on Saturday 12th October 2019 in Yeats Room, Metropole Hotel, MacCurtain Street, Cork City). Trainer Dr. Connie Kelleher (Secretary, Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group).

IAI is delighted to collaborate with the Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology Group (IPMAG) who has designed this full day course as part of the IAI CPD programme.

The course will provide a general introduction to Ireland’s underwater cultural heritage (UCH), with a particular emphasis on post-medieval archaeology. It will include an overview of the relevant legislation pertaining to UCH and how this ties into the management and protection of UCH within the planning process in Ireland. Qualifications, suitability and competencies regarding working within the discipline will form part of the discussion, both from a commercial and recreational/scientific perspective. The course will conclude with a general discussion on the ethical questions relevant to UCH from a global perspective as well as highlighting some of the more recent discoveries in UCH in Ireland and elsewhere.

The event commences at 10am (Registration from 9.45) and closes at 4pm. Lunch will be from 1-2pm.

Registration Form – 12.10.19

Invasive Species and Archaeology – Awareness and Best Practice on Friday 25th October 2019 in Transport Infrastructure Ireland office, Parkgate Street, Dublin.

This is a free event to attend. Registration is essential. The event commences at 9.30am and finishing at 12noon after a light lunch

IAI is delighted to partner with TII’s Environmental Policy and Compliance section, who has designed a half day training seminar, offering the participant an opportunity to learn about invasive alien plant species (IAPS) from some of Ireland’s leading experts.

The event will introduce participants in the identification of IAPS and the root systems of the species. The participants will learn about the legal mechanism applicable to encountering and interfering with IAPS. The participant will be informed, through case study experiences, of the issues involved in a development context when IAPS are present on/within close proximity to a site. The seminar will offer practical advice on the do’s and don’ts of cleaning tools, equipment and machinery (where applicable) that are in use in an area of IAPS.

Course outline – Invasive species (TII:IAI) course outline October 2019

Course registration – Registration-Form-25.10.19

Successfully communicating cultural heritage content using social media and other online sources on Friday 22nd November 2019 in 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland)

Registration is essential and places are allocated as people reserve them. The event commences at 10.00am (Registration from 9.45am) and finishing at 4.15pm

IAI is delighted to partner with The Discovery Programme – Centre for Archaeology and Innovation  Ireland, who has designed a one day training seminar, offering the participant an opportunity to learn and engage with experts in the heritage sector who will share their insights into communicating cultural heritage using social media and other online sources. The trainers for the day are Dr. Rebecca O’Neill (Project Coordinator at Wikimedia Community Ireland), Padraig Clancy (Project Development Officer, Failte Ireland), Deirdre Burns (Heritage Officer, Wicklow County Council) and Dr. Linda Shine (Public Engagement and Outreach Officer, The Discovery Programme).

The one day training will tease out many of the main issues encountered in the promotion of the products of the cultural heritage sector. The topics addressed will include, the role of online content and the input required; how you can make social media pay or is it a labour of love?; striking a balance – setting a social etiquette and correct tone for use in the social media engagement; are online platforms like social media and blogging the major avenue for publication and publicity or is it a more engaging form of publication?; how do you identify the milestones in communicating in social media; what are the benefits and pitfalls of different social media platforms? what makes a successful media campaign? how do we ensure we engage a wide demographic, and how we can continue to engage with more traditional forms of media.

Course outline – Successfully communicating with social media – course outline

Course registration – Registration Form – 22.11.19

IAI wishes to thank the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for their funding support for the delivery of the IAI CPD programme 2019.

Events 2018

IAI is delighted to offer a CPD practical workshop of post-medieval pottery titled Pottery Identification (i) – post medieval pottery and associated material on Saturday 13th October 2018 in IAI office (Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland) 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. The trainers are Rosanne Meenan (Independent ceramic expert) and Franc Myles (Archaeology and Built Heritage).

Places should be reserved in advance and people interested in attending should return the registration form by email to iaiarchaeology[at]gmail.com

Full details – Post-medieval pottery course outline

Registration form –  Registration Form – 7.7.18

IAI is delighted to offer an experimental archaeology CPD workshop delivered by UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture, University College Dublin.

The workshop titled Early medieval iron smelting workshop for archaeologists will take place on Saturday 21 July 2018 in the Centre for Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture within the grounds of UCD. The trainers are Dr. Brendan O’Neill and Prof. Aidan O’Sullivan.

This event will focus on early medieval technologies, allowing attendees to actively participate in an iron smelt. This workshop is part of a series designed to engage with professionals, researchers and interested parties at all levels.

By participating in this workshop attendees will be able to better understand the range of archaeological indicators for iron smelting and their implications. These include the indicative archaeological evidence of burnt spreads, pits, charcoal spreads, fire-reddened soil, furnace fragments, and wastes, generally catagorised as ‘slag’.

Registration is essential as places are limited due to the practical nature of the training

Full details – Course outline and schedule 21.7.18

Registration form – Registration Form – 21.7.18

As part of the development of suite of regular CPD events, the IAI’s next CPD workshop entitled An introduction to field walking techniques for ploughzone archaeology will take place on Saturday 12th May 2018 at Skerries Mills, Skerries, Co. Dublin. The trainer for the day is Dr. Conor Brady (Dundalk Institute of Humanities).

This one day introductory training CPD course will enable participants learn how to set up effective recording controls for systematic field walking, carry out field walking with the supervision of a trainer who will assist in helping you identify materials of archaeological significance. The course will show how to record the finds, analyze the finds distribution and be familiar with best practice in terms of storing, recording and handing materials to the statutory authorities.

Participants should note that concerns over growth rates of crops due to uncharacteristic weather, which are beyond our control, may effect the extent of field walking on the day.

Registration Form – 

Course Content and Programme 12.5.18

Due to popular feedback and demand the IAI CPD workshop entitled An introduction to use and application of 3D photogrammetry for archaeologists and those in the heritage sector will take place on Thursday 29th March 2018 at University College Cork (UCCDH Active Learning Space). The trainers for the day are Gary Dempsey and Orla Peach Power.

The morning session will concentrate of the theory behind photogrammetry, based upon some useful case studies. Based upon feedback from previous workshops, the trainers have agreed to facilitate participants who may wish to bring along any small objects/ artefacts to use in the practical afternoon session.

Participants are encouraged to bring along a digital camera and laptop for their usage during the workshop. Please ensure you bring all necessary batteries and cables for your equipment.

Registration Form – 29.3.18 (pdf)/ Registration Form – 29.3.18 (word)

3D photogrammetry 29.3.18 (Course outline – click to download)

CPD Events 2017

The IAI CPD workshop entitled An introduction to use and application of 3D photogrammetry for archaeologists and those in the heritage sector will take place on Friday 30th June 2017 at 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. The trainer for the day is Gary Dempsey (Realsim/ VHN).

This one day training CPD workshop will enable participants learn about and engage with some of the software packages available, learn how to use their digital cameras effectively so that the images can confirm to the requirements of the software, add accurate scale and ground control points, and generate informative and accurate images of the objects photographed.

The course will consist of a morning where the theory will be outlined, as well as some useful case studies. The trainer will outline some of the pitfalls that archaeologists can avoid. The afternoon session will be based around the practical usage of the tools used in 3D photogrammetry and the generation of a useable end product.

(Participants are encouraged to bring a digital camera and laptop computer – details are outlined on the course outline)

Course outline and Schedule  (Click to download)

Registration Form (pdf) / Registration Form (Word) (Click to download)

The IAI CPD workshop entitled An introduction to field walking techniques for ploughzone archaeology will take place on Saturday 22nd April 2017 at Skerries Mills, Skerries, Co. Dublin. The trainer for the day is Dr. Conor Brady (Dundalk Institute of Humanities).

This one day introductory training CPD course will enable participants learn how to set up effective recording controls for systematic field walking, carry out field walking with the supervision of a trainer who will assist in helping you identify materials of archaeological significance. The course will show how to record the finds, analyze the finds distribution and be familiar with best practice in terms of storing, recording and handing materials to the statutory authorities.

(Please note: this is a practical field based training course. Participants need to bring suitable footwear and clothing for a day on site in a ploughed field. Skerries Mills have kindly made their facilities available to participants).

 Course Outline and Schedule 2017 (Click to download)

Registration Form (pdf) / Registration Form (Word) (Click to download)

The IAI CPD seminar entitled  Successful use of social media for those in the cultural heritage sector will take place on Friday 17th February at 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 . The trainers for the one-day seminar are Damien Shiels (Irish in the American Civil War/ Rubicon Heritage), Niamh Donnellan (Heritage Week Coordinator, Heritage Council) and Siobhan Pierce (Education Officer, Archaeology and Natural History, National Museum of Ireland).

The one day training seminar will tease out several queries that will be of value to people in the cultural heritage sector. The topics addressed  will include, the role of blogging; an outline of the input required to run a successful blog; how you can make social media pay or is it a labour of love?; striking a balance – setting a social etiquette and correct tone for use in the social media engagement; is social media and blogging the new form of publication or is it a more engaging form of publication?; identifying the milestones in communicating in social media; what are the benefits and pitfalls of different social media platforms?; what makes a successful media campaign?.

The formalised presentation will be followed by an afternoon participants guided workshop.

Course outline and schedule (Click to download)

Registration Form (pdf) ( /  Registration Form (Word) (Click to download)

Registration on the day will open at 9.40am and the course will commence at 10.00am. The course will run until 4.00pm. Advance booking is recommended.

Pay For This Programme