In this episode of the Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil pays a visit to the National Museum of Ireland for a chat with the Keeper of Antiquities Maeve Sikora and Assistant Keeper Matt Seaver, to discuss the role of the museum and the new exhibition on Glendalough.

In this episode Neil visits the National Museum of Ireland for a conversation with the Keeper of Irish Antiquities Maeve Sikora and the Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities Matthew Seaver. We discuss the background to the National Museum, its role as a national institution and the key challenges that the museum faces. We examine some of the threats to our archaeological heritage, and find out what to do if you come across an archaeological object with a terrific example of what happened when a Donegal farmer discovered the gleam of gold while digging a drain. We also discuss the upcoming new exhibition on Glendalough, and the process of curation – how to choose what goes on display and what remains in storage. Thank you so much to Maeve and Matthew for these fantastic insights into one of Ireland’s most important cultural institutions.

Episode 14 The National Museum of Ireland – Show Notes

• The National Museum of Ireland’s website can be found here.
• All branches of the National Museum of Ireland are free to enter. But with social distancing due to COVID-19 it is recommended to reserve your place ahead of visiting.
  • For information and to book a ticket for the Archaeology branch on Kildare Street please see here.
  • For information and to book a ticket for the Decorative Arts and History branch at Collins Barracks please see here.
  • For information and to book a ticket for the Natural History Museum on Merrion Street please see here.
  • For information and to book a ticket for the Museum of Country Life in Castlebar, County Mayo, please see here
• Information on the Law on Metal Detecting in Ireland can be found here.
• More information on metal detecting in Ireland can also be found in this handy pdf leaflet.
• The very first episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast was recorded live from the trenches at Glendalough with Graeme, Conor and the excavation team. You can hear that here.
• You can now enjoy an interactive, virtual tour of the Treasury Exhibition and discover iconic objects like the Ardagh Chalice here.
• You can discover more information about the incredible Faddan More Psalter here.

Amplify Archaeology Podcast

During this podcast series we will meet some of Ireland’s archaeologists to discuss the key periods, places and people that tell the story of Ireland, and we’ll gain new insights into the practice and techniques of modern Irish archaeology. This is the seventh instalment of Amplify Archaeology, previous episodes have featured discussions on Ogham, Conflict Archaeology and Digital Heritage. We have also covered news from the trenches at excavations at Kilkenny Castle and the Rock of Cashel. And we’ve discussed Living History, the Beaker People, History of Food, Passage Tombs, Castles, Mesolithic Ireland and Glendalough.

I’d love some feedback, so please do leave a comment below – and if you have any questions about Irish archaeology please do let me know, we can try to answer them in forthcoming episodes. Finally if you enjoyed this podcast I’d be really grateful if you could leave us a review on iTunes, or please share it and tell your friends.

The podcast is an Abarta Heritage production. It was recorded in the National Museum of Ireland in Kildare Street with Neil Jackman (the interviewer) Maeve Sikora and Matthew Seaver. We are so grateful to Maeve and Matt for their generosity and insights.