Blackfriary Community Heritage Archaeology Project

The excavations at the site of the award-winning Blackfriary Community Heritage and Archaeology Project (BCHAP) in the town of Trim, County Meath, Ireland are run by the Blackfriary Archaeology Field School. Their goal is to deliver a wonderful experience to all interested students, visitors, lifelong learners and enthusiasts at the Blackfriary. Already, so many have started their field careers or realised their dream of taking part in an excavation at this medieval friary in the heritage capital of Ireland. Their ambition is to help as many people as possible experience the adventure that digging up the past has to offer, while being taught how to record it for future generations. Blackfriary is a community owned site, so by taking part in the ongoing re-imagining of this formerly unloved space, project participants are helping protect and preserve this hugely important part of the heritage of Trim into the future.

The Blackfriary is a medieval Dominican Friary in the historic town of Trim. Excavations have been running since 2010 and were begun with the aim of exploring the role of the Dominican friary in the later medieval period in Trim. The Dominican friary of St. Mary of the Assumption was founded in 1263, and suppressed by Henry VIII in 1542. During the 1750’s it was taken down for building stone. Despite this, significant remains survive. The friary footprint was never built over and this means that there is the very rare opportunity to explore the full extent of the buildings, and the greater part of the friary precinct which contained the monastic gardens and a cemetery. Every digging season adds to the understanding of the complexity of this surprisingly large and very important site. The artefacts found shed light on the daily lives of the community, sometimes providing exciting and unexpected information.

The fieldwork season runs from the beginning of May to the end of August. Visitors are welcome to the site every Wednesday afternoon 2.30pm -4.30pm for a free tour of the archaeological site

Nothing beats the excitement of hands on archaeology and we welcome enthusiastic visitors looking for the archaeological experience! At Blackfriary, you can experience a day of digging with the professional archaeologists on site. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels! If you have little ones who want to participate we have a kids mock dig too!

During the day; you will receive

• A guided tour of the archaeological site by the Director of Excavations
• A chance to see some of the artefacts found to date
• Excavate alongside the archaeologists in a trench
• Process some of the finds in our Post-excavation lab

Cost p/p for 1 day is €75. A family rate is also available.

For more information on costs or to Book a slot, please email info@bafs.ie.

For more information on the Black Friary excavations, you can follow us on the below channels:

Website: www.bafs.ie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackfriaryFieldschoolIreland  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Blackfriarydig

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackfriaryarchaeofieldschool/?hl=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackfriary-archaeology-field-school-0b730315b/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AVvWRiOK5A

Last updated on 14/11 at 15.37pm