TY 2011 first trip to Glendalough

TY Trip to Glendalough 30/8/11

On the 30th August 11 our TY classes hit the ground running with our first trip of the year despite it being only our second day back!

We were headed for Glendalough in County Wicklow where UCD archaeology students were taking part in practise excavations as part of their course.

When we arrived in Glendalough we were divided up into two groups. One group was brought to the Upper Lake to observe the student’s excavations while the second group remained at the main monastic site where they received a tour of the area and heard from a Geo-Physicist speaking about geo-physical surveys at an archaeological dig.

My group went to the Upper Lake first where we saw two test trenches and students testing the make-up of the soil. The test trenches proved the most interesting as many objects were being dug up such as pieces of pottery, lumps of iron and old clay pipes. While at the Upper Lake site we also visited Reefert where an old monastery was situated.

After a satisfying lunch at the chip shop both groups switched places and my group were brought to the main monastic site. We received a tour of the many ruined monasteries and were briefed on geo-physical surveys by an expert in that field.

Once this was complete both groups reconvened at the bus to return to Portlaoise after an enjoyable day at Glendalough of The Seven Churches
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Cathal O’Connor