Community Archaeology at St Annes Park Amplify Archaeology Podcast

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Community Archaeology at St Annes Park Amplify Archaeology Podcast

October 31, 2024

Community Archaeology at St Anne’s Park

Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 42 with James Kyle

Community Archaeology at St Anne’s Park

Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 42 with James Kyle

A wonderful community archaeology project has been underway at St Anne’s Park in Dublin City. Excavation director James Kyle tells us all about it in this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast.

An elegant historic house, once owned by the famous Guinness Family, proudly stood in part of what is now known as St Anne’s Park. The building was destroyed by fire in the 1940s, before being completely demolished in the 1960s. However, a dynamic community archaeology project has been underway to help to uncover its story. The dig includes members of the local community who work alongside experienced archaeologists. The preservation of in-situ architectural features and deposits relating to the occupation, fire and demolition of the structure ensures the opportunity for volunteers to engage with tangible archaeological material as well as assess the phases of the structural development and ultimate demise of the house.

Now in its fourth year, the Saint Anne’s Park Community Archaeology Programme was launched in 2021 as a partnership project under the Dublin City Strategic Heritage Plan. It is a collaboration between DCC Parks Biodiversity and Landscape Services and the Archaeology and Heritage Sections of the Planning and Property Development Department. The programme is partially funded by the Heritage Council and the Creative Ireland Programme, and has been delivered by Archaeology and Built Heritage Ltd, with the support of a fantastic group of community volunteers.

The archaeological director James Kyle leads us through the story of the lost house, as we discuss the practice of community archaeology, wellbeing in heritage and more. So let’s dig into the story of community archaeology in St Anne’s Park in this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast!

(all images courtesy of Archaeology and Built Heritage Ltd)

AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST

Title: Island Pilgrimage

Duration: 50 mins.

Summary:

Hear about a fantastic community archaeology project in St Anne’s Park, Dublin.

Community Archaeology at St Anne’s Park – Key Discussion Points

Introduction to St Anne’s Park and the project – 1 min 22 secs
What could be seen of the house prior to excavation? – 5 min 20 secs
How did surviving documents and maps help the dig? – 9 min 20 secs
The dig throw up any surprises? – 10 min 01 secs
Has the dig changed people’s perception of the park? – 14 min 45 secs
Public interest in archaeology – 16 min 20 secs
The tangibility of early modern archaeology – 19 min 15 secs
The community involvement in the excavation – 21 min 06 secs
What do we mean by the ‘community’ in community archaeology, who was involved? – 26 min 20 secs
Archaeology and wellbeing – 28 mins 22 secs
How can we make archaeology more inclusive and engaging for the public? – 34 min 30 secs
Has the project changed people’s perceptions of place? – 34 min 24 secs
What’s the future of the project? – 41 min 45 secs

Show notes and links to further information

You can find information on the St Anne’s Park Community Archaeology Project on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
You can also find a short video on the project on YouTube.
Please do leave us a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you can, or share the episode using the podcast #AmplifyArchaeology – it really does help us to be found so I’d be very grateful!
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