Seandálaíocht - Irish for Archaeology

The Ordnance survey of Ireland, an institution much-loved, and much mis-spelled, by Irish archaeologists is opening a new visitor centre in the Phoenix Park in September, coinciding with celebrations of its 185th anniversary.

Ordinarily the centre will only be open via prior group appointment but guided tours will be open to all on Sept2nd-4th and 6th. See the OSI website for more info.

As part of my continuing tinkering with the site a new design and a new logo that works as a favicon too (the little icon that appears beside the url in your browser) have just gone live .

The logo is loosely based on my initials written in ogham. Strangely, they appear almost japanese to my eye. I'm hoping to continue tweaking the look of the website over the coming months as well as finishing and re-organising the links section so i can concentrate on the blog. To have a look at the new intro page to the website click here. I'm also using a slightly differrent version of the logo on my personal portal here.

Its harder than you might think to get started learning some traditional blacksmithing skills. Unlike in the UK and the US there isn't a vibrant artist-blacksmith tradition and beginner's blacksmithing courses don't seem to be common.

Saying that I have come across a few courses that are listed in the Iron Links section of my Links Page.  One interesting course is to be held in Enniscroe House in Co. Mayo from Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th September. Download a poster and more information here and here and information about staying in the house here.