UCD School of Archaeology

Biography:

I am from Co. Louth, Ireland and both my parents' families have strong roots there. Growing up by the sea provided an abiding interest in coastal areas and islands. One of the proudest moments in my career was delivering the address at the centenary celebrations of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society. My PhD (1987, UCD, National University of Ireland) was on prehistoric settlement patterns in North Leinster. My career in UCD has been widened and enriched by short teaching engagements in other universities and sabbatical leave (UCD President's Fellowship 1998-9; IRCHSS Government of Ireland Senior Research Fellowship 2004-5). I was appointed an Associate Professor in 1999, full professor in 2006 and Professor of Celtic Archaeology in 2008. The last decade has seen very significant changes and developments in archaeology in UCD. I served as Head of the Department in 2001-4, as interim director of the College of Arts and Celtic Studies Graduate School in 2005-6 and Head of School (2008-11). I was the Academic Secretary for the sixth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-6) held in Dublin in 2008 with over 1800 participants from around the world.