Programme of Events
A talk by Lisa White
The Middle to Late Neolithic period in Ireland (3600-2500BC) is a little understood period of prehistory. The large passage tomb complexes such as Newgrange, Co. Meath are an enduring testament to major changes that were occurring in Ireland many thousands of years ago. However, as there is no written record, it is in the mortuary record that we may find an insight into the lives of these ancient peoples. This talk will briefly introduce human osteoarchaeology, and what information can be gleaned from ancient human bones and burial contexts, before discussing the case study of Millin Bay Late Neolithic Cairn, Co. Down and how revisiting archaeological human remains assemblages held within museums can impact our wider understanding of prehistoric societies.
⚠️ Please be aware that this talk discusses post-mortem processes, funerary rites including dismemberment and defleshing, and will display images of ancient human bones.
Lisa is based in Queen's University Belfast and has a bachelor's degree in Archaeology, a Master of Research degree in Archaeology specialising in Human Osteoarchaeology and Funerary Rites and is currently undertaking a PhD investigating funerary rites in Middle to Late Neolithic Ireland.
A talk by Professor Iggy McGovern
Erwin Schrödinger was a Nobel Prize–winning Austrian and naturalized Irish physicist who developed fundamental results in quantum theory. In addition, he wrote many works on various aspects of physics: statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, physics of dielectrics, colour theory, electrodynamics, general relativity, and cosmology, and he made several attempts to construct a unified field theory.
In his book What Is Life? Schrödinger addressed the problems of genetics, looking at the phenomenon of life from the point of view of physics. He also paid great attention to the philosophical aspects of science, ancient, and oriental philosophical concepts, ethics, and religion.
A talk by David Dunlop
Beggars' badges were badges and other identifying insignia worn by beggars beginning in the early fifteenth century in Great Britain and Ireland. They served two purposes; to identify individual beggars, and to allow beggars to move freely from place to place.
Armagh County Club
The Armagh County Club was founded in 1869. It has recently undergone a major programme of refurbishment and repairs with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council. This visit will provide an opportunity to hear about the history of the Club, tour the premises and take afternoon tea in its famous dining room.
Details of how to book a place will be provided nearer the time.
Visit to Ram’s Island
Ram's Island is located approximately one mile offshore from Lennymore Bay and Sandy Bay on the Eastern Shore of Lough Neagh. Rams is the largest island on Lough Neagh. Lough Neagh was designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), a Special Protection Area and a Ramsar site in 1992, 1996 and 1976 respectively.
It has been suggested that Rams was formed as a Glacial Esker. It is nearly one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide at the widest southern end. Notable features of the Island are a round tower (a scheduled ancient monument 58:16, the remains of a Celtic Monastic Settlement about a thousand years old) and the ruins of the O’Neill’s’ nineteenth century summer house. The Island was last permanently inhabited in the 1930s by the Cardwell family who were caretakers for the O’Neill’s. The remains of Cardwell’s harbour, left dry by the lowering of Lough Neagh, can be seen near the ruins of Cardwell’s little house.
The Island has quite a number of mature deciduous trees including Oak, Ash, Alder, Willow, Birch, Beech, Sycamore, Lime, Horse Chestnut, and unusually Walnut. There are Yew, Snowdrops, Bluebells, Primrose, Marsh Marigolds, Lords and Ladies (Jack in the Pulpit), Wild Mint, Wild Garlic, Lesser Celandine,Wood Campion, Ferns and a carpet of Daffodils, depending on the season. Fungi such as Scarlet Elf’s Cap and Jelly Ear can also be found. There are also various Mosses and Lichens.
Although overgrown, there are remains of a carriageway along the elevated central spine of the island. There are overgrown paths along the entire length of the Island. Its remote, wilderness and ‘lost in time’ qualities make Rams a pleasant and attractive place to visit.
Recordings of previous events can be found here.