Words on the Wave

Dig into the Story in Amplify Archaeology Podcast Episode 47 with Maeve Sikora & Matt Seaver

In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil pays a visit to the National Museum of Ireland, where he chats with Maeve Sikora and Matthew Seaver about the momentous Words on the Wave exhibition.

The Words on the Wave exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland features precious manuscripts from the Abbey of St Gall, Switzerland — some returning to Ireland for the first time in 1000 years — alongside spectacular objects from the Irish world from which they emerged. And it tells the story of early Irish saints like Columbanus, Gall and the monks who travelled to the Alps and beyond.

In this episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, Neil is joined by by Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, and Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Antiquities and the principal curator of the Words on the Wave exhibition. Together, we dig into the story of the exhibition and how it all came about, as well as hearing about some of the incredible artefacts that are on display.

Amplify Archaeology Podcast is sponsored by Tuatha, this is our online membership with a growing community of like-minded people who love exploring Ireland’s sites, landscapes and heritage. You can find out more and start your own Irish archaeological adventure today at tuatha.ie.

AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST

AMPLIFY ARCHAEOLOGY PODCAST

Title: Words on the Wave

Duration: 55 mins.

Summary:
In this episode, we visit the National Museum of Ireland to see the momentous Words on the Wave exhibition.

Words on the Wave – Key Discussion Points and Show Notes

• The background to Words on the Wave – 2 min 16 secs
• Introduction to the story of the early Irish monks and the manuscripts in St Gallen – 4 min 29 secs
• What are the manuscripts about? – 12 min 14 secs
• Did the process of curating the exhibition bring new opportunities for analysis and research? – 14 min 59 secs
• The importance of collaboration and multidisciplinary work – 19 min 52 secs
• The insights into the humanity of the scribes revealed by the manuscripts – 23 min 11 secs
• The process of selecting the artefacts to illuminate the context of the manuscripts – 26 min 20 secs
• The exhibition design – 29 min 37 secs
• The Lough Kinale Book Shrine – 32 min 18 secs
• The challenge of conservation – 35 mins
• The Viking threat – 35 mins 51 secs
• Did the process of connecting the manuscripts and objects all together reveal any new insights? – 39 mins 50 secs
• The fantastic school project for Words on the Wave – 41 mins 18 secs
• The question of repatriation – 45 mins 46 secs
• Future plans for Words on the Wave – 47 mins 45 secs
• Go and see Words on the Wave, it’s ending in October! – 49 mins 08 secs

Show notes and links to further information

• I cannot recommend Words on the Wave enough. It is absolutely brilliant, moving and deeply inspirational. The artwork of the manuscripts, the story of the monks and the objects from their world all combine into something really special. It is one of the best exhibitions I’ve visited, and you only have until the end of October 2025 to see it. And it is absolutely free! So do take this once in a lifetime chance, and make your own peregrination to the past!
• You can find lots of information on Words on the Wave in the National Museum website here.
• And you can watch the wonderful school project on YouTube.
• The exhibition catalogue is well worth picking up, it is full of detail not only about the artefacts and manuscripts, but the whole story. And it is a real bargain at just €20. Available from the National Museum shop, find out more here.
• I had the opportunity to chat with Maeve and Matt on a previous episode of Amplify Archaeology Podcast, where we went into the role of the National Museum of Ireland and its collection. You can listen to that here.
• As I mentioned, Dr Niamh Wycherley is the host of the Irish Medieval History Podcast, and she featured a two part episode on Words on the Wave, where they delve into detail on the history and significance. I highly recommend having a listen to that. You can find her podcast on Spotify.
• I hope you enjoyed the show, 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!
• If you’d like to dig deeper into the stories of Ireland you’ll love our membership service Tuatha. You’ll find online courses on Irish archaeology and heritage, articles on places to visit, itineraries for great days out, opportunities to join us on our monthly lecture series and on our tours, and lots more! You can learn more and sign up here. And remember to use your coupon code AMPLIFY20 for 20% off.

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