Local Studies: Tipperary People and Places lecture series

March 3rd, 2010 · No Comments

On Tuesday 16^th February last Richard O’Brien delivered our penultimate lecture in the 2009/2010 Tipperary People and Places Lecture Series. Richard is an archaeologist with the NRA, based in Limerick, and has written articles in a number of journals and similar publications. His lecture was entitled “New archaeological discoveries from the National Roads Authorities’ work in Co. Tipperary”, and it gave the sizeable attending crowd a very fascinating and informative glimpse into the work undertaken, and evidence found, by Richard and his colleagues.

The lecture took us from the settlements of the earliest recorded people in this county – from seven and a half thousand years ago – to more recent discoveries from the 19^th Century. Richard’s maps, photographs and diagrams all superbly illustrated the myriad of settlements and artefacts that have come to light in recent years. Axe-heads, tools, pottery and coins (among them a Spanish Piece of Eight) were among the finds that Richard presented to the audience, perhaps the most bizarre of all being the door key to a demolished 19^th Century cottage, which had been safely deposited under the door step! Richard’s lecture was wide-ranging and most informative, and we hope, in the future, to enjoy some more contributions from him on what has proven to be a most entertaining subject.