Neil Jackman
@neiljackman.bsky.social
Archaeologist at Abarta Heritage & Tuatha Ireland. Passionate about public archaeology and enthusiastic about old ruins.
Author of guidebooks to the #WildAtlanticWay & #IrelandsAncientEast
Explore Ireland with me at
@tuatha.ie
Author of guidebooks to the #WildAtlanticWay & #IrelandsAncientEast
Explore Ireland with me at
@tuatha.ie
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Audley's Castle • Down
This 15th century towerhouse is set on a prominent rocky knoll that overlooks Strangford Lough.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise the landscape. It features as the battlefield where Rob Stark first meets Talisa.
A meeting that would eventually lead to a red wedding.
This 15th century towerhouse is set on a prominent rocky knoll that overlooks Strangford Lough.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise the landscape. It features as the battlefield where Rob Stark first meets Talisa.
A meeting that would eventually lead to a red wedding.
November 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Audley's Castle • Down
This 15th century towerhouse is set on a prominent rocky knoll that overlooks Strangford Lough.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise the landscape. It features as the battlefield where Rob Stark first meets Talisa.
A meeting that would eventually lead to a red wedding.
This 15th century towerhouse is set on a prominent rocky knoll that overlooks Strangford Lough.
Game of Thrones fans might recognise the landscape. It features as the battlefield where Rob Stark first meets Talisa.
A meeting that would eventually lead to a red wedding.
Reposted by Neil Jackman
It was an absolute pleasure, and great craic, to chat with @neiljackman.bsky.social about the Hellfire Club in Dublin, which inspired our recent game Eyes of Hellfire.
Our game Eyes of Hellfire is set in the infamous Hellfire Club, a real-life location in #Dublin that you can hike up to - it's very cool (and spooky!)
@lenhaunts.bsky.social interviewed archaeologist @neiljackman.bsky.social about the club & his archaeological dig there!!
youtu.be/XKtyf57X4A4?...
@lenhaunts.bsky.social interviewed archaeologist @neiljackman.bsky.social about the club & his archaeological dig there!!
youtu.be/XKtyf57X4A4?...
Archaeologist Neil Jackman on the Real Hellfire Club - Eyes of Hellfire
YouTube video by Gambrinous
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It was an absolute pleasure, and great craic, to chat with @neiljackman.bsky.social about the Hellfire Club in Dublin, which inspired our recent game Eyes of Hellfire.
Reposted by Neil Jackman
They don’t know what the three seashells are for, lol.
The Vikings, once again, are baffling archaeologists. This time, with an unusual burial ritual involving scallop shells. 🏺🧪
Viking Age woman found buried with scallop shells on her mouth, and archaeologists are mystified
A ninth-century grave discovered in Norway held the remains of a Viking Age woman whose mouth was covered with two large scallop shells.
www.livescience.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
They don’t know what the three seashells are for, lol.
Reposted by Neil Jackman
While the #EAA wrestles with how to deal with its relationship with official Israeli bodies, there are fresh allegations that the Government of Israel is seeking to take control of part of the northern area of the illegally occupied West Bank, citing protecting archaeological sites as justification.
Israel plans to take 4,600 dunams in northern West Bank, citing archaeology protection
A Palestinian official said on Tuesday that Israel plans to take 4,600 dunams of land belonging to the towns of Sebastia and Burqa in Nablus governorate in the northern West Bank, claiming it is to…
www.middleeastmonitor.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:49 PM
While the #EAA wrestles with how to deal with its relationship with official Israeli bodies, there are fresh allegations that the Government of Israel is seeking to take control of part of the northern area of the illegally occupied West Bank, citing protecting archaeological sites as justification.
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Back from the beautiful Ards Peninsula in County Down.
Such a stunning landscape, especially when lit with the low November sun. And a whole host of incredible monuments to explore.
Full heads, hearts, and memory cards after that!
Such a stunning landscape, especially when lit with the low November sun. And a whole host of incredible monuments to explore.
Full heads, hearts, and memory cards after that!
November 19, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Back from the beautiful Ards Peninsula in County Down.
Such a stunning landscape, especially when lit with the low November sun. And a whole host of incredible monuments to explore.
Full heads, hearts, and memory cards after that!
Such a stunning landscape, especially when lit with the low November sun. And a whole host of incredible monuments to explore.
Full heads, hearts, and memory cards after that!
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Here at Exeter we are offering three fully funded AHRC PhD places in humanities subjects. Please get in touch if you are keen to come and do research with us! Closing date 23 February 2026: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
PhD: AHRC Studentship | University of Exeter
Project descriptionThe University of Exeter is offering up to three fully funded AHRC doctoral studentships and training and development opportunities across a range of the AHRC’s disciplines for cand...
www.exeter.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Here at Exeter we are offering three fully funded AHRC PhD places in humanities subjects. Please get in touch if you are keen to come and do research with us! Closing date 23 February 2026: www.exeter.ac.uk/study/fundin...
Always up for a good Hellfire Club chat, and no better people to chat with than @lenhaunts.bsky.social and @unaminh.bsky.social, who created the brilliant Eyes of Hellfire game
Our game Eyes of Hellfire is set in the infamous Hellfire Club, a real-life location in #Dublin that you can hike up to - it's very cool (and spooky!)
@lenhaunts.bsky.social interviewed archaeologist @neiljackman.bsky.social about the club & his archaeological dig there!!
youtu.be/XKtyf57X4A4?...
@lenhaunts.bsky.social interviewed archaeologist @neiljackman.bsky.social about the club & his archaeological dig there!!
youtu.be/XKtyf57X4A4?...
Archaeologist Neil Jackman on the Real Hellfire Club - Eyes of Hellfire
YouTube video by Gambrinous
youtu.be
November 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Always up for a good Hellfire Club chat, and no better people to chat with than @lenhaunts.bsky.social and @unaminh.bsky.social, who created the brilliant Eyes of Hellfire game
Reposted by Neil Jackman
"It was 1968 and the Irish labourer had barely a pound to his name but he believed that if he stayed underground in a coffin longer than anyone else the world would remember his name."
#Spéirghorm
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
#Spéirghorm
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Incredible story of Irish labourer buried alive in coffin for 61 days told in new documentary
Mick Meaney made global headlines when he beat world record in 1968, but returned to Ireland penniless
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"It was 1968 and the Irish labourer had barely a pound to his name but he believed that if he stayed underground in a coffin longer than anyone else the world would remember his name."
#Spéirghorm
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
#Spéirghorm
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Grand first day digging the Dane’s Cast in Co Down! Iron Age or Medieval linear earthwork running along the Newry Valley. We’ll know soon enough. Some nice postholes, a palisade slot and two big ditches and banks
November 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Grand first day digging the Dane’s Cast in Co Down! Iron Age or Medieval linear earthwork running along the Newry Valley. We’ll know soon enough. Some nice postholes, a palisade slot and two big ditches and banks
Reposted by Neil Jackman
In today's edition of our free #MonumentMonday newsletter, we visit an atmospheric and evocative medieval chapel in County Westmeath.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm #DiscoverIreland
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm #DiscoverIreland
November 17, 2025 at 6:12 PM
In today's edition of our free #MonumentMonday newsletter, we visit an atmospheric and evocative medieval chapel in County Westmeath.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm #DiscoverIreland
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm #DiscoverIreland
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Poulnabrone • The Burren
Situated in the heart of the Burren, Poulnabrone is one of Ireland's earliest dated megalithic tombs.
During excavations, the co-mingled remains of at least 36 individuals were recovered from the tomb chamber, largely dating from c.3800–3200 BC.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm
Situated in the heart of the Burren, Poulnabrone is one of Ireland's earliest dated megalithic tombs.
During excavations, the co-mingled remains of at least 36 individuals were recovered from the tomb chamber, largely dating from c.3800–3200 BC.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm
November 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Poulnabrone • The Burren
Situated in the heart of the Burren, Poulnabrone is one of Ireland's earliest dated megalithic tombs.
During excavations, the co-mingled remains of at least 36 individuals were recovered from the tomb chamber, largely dating from c.3800–3200 BC.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm
Situated in the heart of the Burren, Poulnabrone is one of Ireland's earliest dated megalithic tombs.
During excavations, the co-mingled remains of at least 36 individuals were recovered from the tomb chamber, largely dating from c.3800–3200 BC.
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm
Reposted by Neil Jackman
It's very cool to see Barnes and Noble listing my upcoming book, Treasures of the Vikings, on the US book market! 🇺🇲 📚
November 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
It's very cool to see Barnes and Noble listing my upcoming book, Treasures of the Vikings, on the US book market! 🇺🇲 📚
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Amazing to have a personal tour of the National Museum of Ireland's gold exhibition (aka the bling room) from expert Mary Cahill this evening 😍 Now for the rugby...
November 15, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Amazing to have a personal tour of the National Museum of Ireland's gold exhibition (aka the bling room) from expert Mary Cahill this evening 😍 Now for the rugby...
Tipperary has a brand new attraction to go alongside the Rock of Cashel - behold the Chasm of Clonmel!
Serious rainfall has caused the partial collapse of a boundary wall and road, (looks more dramatic in person)
Serious rainfall has caused the partial collapse of a boundary wall and road, (looks more dramatic in person)
November 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Tipperary has a brand new attraction to go alongside the Rock of Cashel - behold the Chasm of Clonmel!
Serious rainfall has caused the partial collapse of a boundary wall and road, (looks more dramatic in person)
Serious rainfall has caused the partial collapse of a boundary wall and road, (looks more dramatic in person)
Reposted by Neil Jackman
One of our Sheela-na-gigs is now on display at @immaireland.bsky.social. This piece from Seir Kieran, Co. Offaly (2206:W13) features in Cecilia Vicuña’s Reverse Migration Exhibition, on view until 5 July 2026.
Explore more online:
#SheelaNaGig #IMMA #IrishArt www.museum.ie/en-ie/collec...
Explore more online:
#SheelaNaGig #IMMA #IrishArt www.museum.ie/en-ie/collec...
November 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
One of our Sheela-na-gigs is now on display at @immaireland.bsky.social. This piece from Seir Kieran, Co. Offaly (2206:W13) features in Cecilia Vicuña’s Reverse Migration Exhibition, on view until 5 July 2026.
Explore more online:
#SheelaNaGig #IMMA #IrishArt www.museum.ie/en-ie/collec...
Explore more online:
#SheelaNaGig #IMMA #IrishArt www.museum.ie/en-ie/collec...
Reposted by Neil Jackman
November 15, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Reposted by Neil Jackman
At this time of year, just before the last of the leaves fall, I love to spend time in County Wicklow.
Our itinerary is focused around the beautiful vales and valleys of the mountains, with Glendalough as the centrepiece.
It's an ideal weekend excursion, or dwell longer to enjoy longer hikes
Our itinerary is focused around the beautiful vales and valleys of the mountains, with Glendalough as the centrepiece.
It's an ideal weekend excursion, or dwell longer to enjoy longer hikes
November 15, 2025 at 11:55 AM
At this time of year, just before the last of the leaves fall, I love to spend time in County Wicklow.
Our itinerary is focused around the beautiful vales and valleys of the mountains, with Glendalough as the centrepiece.
It's an ideal weekend excursion, or dwell longer to enjoy longer hikes
Our itinerary is focused around the beautiful vales and valleys of the mountains, with Glendalough as the centrepiece.
It's an ideal weekend excursion, or dwell longer to enjoy longer hikes
Reposted by Neil Jackman
🌙 Late Night at the Museum: Curating Change
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Late Night Opening: In Conversation: Curating Change in a Changing Museum
Dónal Maguire, and Paolo Viscardi in conversation discussing curatorial and design approaches to two major additions to the National Museum
www.eventbrite.ie
November 15, 2025 at 10:03 AM
🌙 Late Night at the Museum: Curating Change
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Join Keepers, Donal Maguire & Paolo Viscardi as they dive into the creative process behind the Changing Ireland Galleries & Dead Zoo Lab
🗓️ 4 Dec | 🕕 18:00–19:00
📍 National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks
🎟️ Free | Book: www.eventbrite.ie/e/late-night...
Our 8 year old is still getting up around 5am every morning. Please tell me that he'll discover the joy of a lie in at some point soon! 😩
November 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Our 8 year old is still getting up around 5am every morning. Please tell me that he'll discover the joy of a lie in at some point soon! 😩
Reposted by Neil Jackman
New article by Liverpool PhD Dr Eddie Meehan "Identity, exemplarity and the ideal king in early medieval Ireland" open access academic.oup.com/histres/adva... #history #leadership #ireland #medievalsky
Identity, exemplarity and the ideal king in early medieval Ireland*
Abstract. This article examines some early medieval Insular texts on the ideal king: three examples of Old Irish tecosca (wisdom) texts and the ninth secti
academic.oup.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:06 PM
New article by Liverpool PhD Dr Eddie Meehan "Identity, exemplarity and the ideal king in early medieval Ireland" open access academic.oup.com/histres/adva... #history #leadership #ireland #medievalsky
Reposted by Neil Jackman
'The Irish always carry an axe in their hand as if it were a staff… From the axe, there is always anxiety. If you think you are free from anxiety, you are not free from an axe.'
Giraldus Cambrensis, Topographia Hibernica c1185.
12-13th century axe from Donegal, and an illustration from Topographia
Giraldus Cambrensis, Topographia Hibernica c1185.
12-13th century axe from Donegal, and an illustration from Topographia
November 14, 2025 at 7:53 PM
'The Irish always carry an axe in their hand as if it were a staff… From the axe, there is always anxiety. If you think you are free from anxiety, you are not free from an axe.'
Giraldus Cambrensis, Topographia Hibernica c1185.
12-13th century axe from Donegal, and an illustration from Topographia
Giraldus Cambrensis, Topographia Hibernica c1185.
12-13th century axe from Donegal, and an illustration from Topographia
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Very happy to contribute to this excellent paper on #dogs by @carlydigsit.bsky.social & collabs showing that dog appearances were changing far far earlier than Victorian era breeding. 🏺🧪🦣 🐕 #zooarchaeology
Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty
Quantitative analysis of canid skulls points to an earlier origin of dog diversity
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Very happy to contribute to this excellent paper on #dogs by @carlydigsit.bsky.social & collabs showing that dog appearances were changing far far earlier than Victorian era breeding. 🏺🧪🦣 🐕 #zooarchaeology
Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Dog domestication, from the fierce to the feisty | Science www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Neil Jackman
Just one week to go until my Roman Lamps and Deities workshop at The Roman Army Museum part of the Vindolanda Trust, Hadrian'sWall. Still a few places left. 🏺#AncientBluesky #Archaeology www.vindolanda.com/Event/potted...
Potted History Oil Lamps and Deities Workshop - 22/11/2025 10:00:00
22nd November Roman Army Museum In this course, you will learn about the manufacturing methods employed by Roman craftsmen and create your own Roman goddess figurine and a fully functioning Roman oil ...
www.vindolanda.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Just one week to go until my Roman Lamps and Deities workshop at The Roman Army Museum part of the Vindolanda Trust, Hadrian'sWall. Still a few places left. 🏺#AncientBluesky #Archaeology www.vindolanda.com/Event/potted...
Had such a fascinating chat last night with Neil Carlin, Jessica Smyth and @suegreaney.bsky.social on society in Neolithic Ireland, touching on ancient DNA, kinship, mortuary practice, and how we understand and interpret the past, and so much more!
Coming soon for Amplify Archaeology Podcast!
Coming soon for Amplify Archaeology Podcast!
November 14, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Had such a fascinating chat last night with Neil Carlin, Jessica Smyth and @suegreaney.bsky.social on society in Neolithic Ireland, touching on ancient DNA, kinship, mortuary practice, and how we understand and interpret the past, and so much more!
Coming soon for Amplify Archaeology Podcast!
Coming soon for Amplify Archaeology Podcast!
Watching old BBC programmes on Fred Dibnah taking down industrial chimneys by hand. Pure therapy
November 14, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Watching old BBC programmes on Fred Dibnah taking down industrial chimneys by hand. Pure therapy