He has published widely, including ten books on topics such as the Bronze Age copper mines on Mount Gabriel, wedge tomb landscapes in south-west Ireland, his discovery of the Beaker copper mine at Ross Island, Co. Kerry, a study of early settlement landscapes and upland farming in the Beara Peninsula, the first general work on the prehistory of the Cork region, and the first book on Bronze Age copper mining in Europe. Recent work includes a study of hillforts, warfare and society in Late Bronze Age Ireland (2017) and a study of the early medieval royal site of Garranes, Co. Cork (2021, both published by Archaeopress, Oxford; an investigation of a Late Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon, Co. Cork (2022) and a book on Baltinglass and the prehistoric hillforts of Ireland (2024, with James O'Driscoll and Alan Hawkes). He is currently working on coastal promontory forts in Cork.
My research interests lie in Irish and European prehistory and specifically in three areas: early mining and metal-using societies in Atlantic Europe, the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in Ireland (c.2500-600 BC), and the later prehistory of south-west Ireland. My published work is marked by inter-disciplinary collaborations with Irish and international researchers. I am an experienced research excavator, with some 30 projects completed to publication, including many sites that are highly significant to our understanding of Irish prehistory.
From 2001-4 I conducted a study of early settlement landscapes and upland farming in the Beara Peninsula, funded by the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (cycle 2). This involved detailed survey and excavation of ancient farmscapes preserved beneath beneath blanket bog in hill valleys, looking at the settlement history of these locations from late prehistoric to medieval times. The publication of this work in 2009 ('Local Worlds') is the first book dealing with early farming and pre-bog farmscapes in Ireland. The Beara project uncovered exciting new evidence for Iron Age agricultural settlement in the south-west peninsulas, a period of prehistory that is not well understood in southern Ireland. In 2004 I conducted a new research programme (The Iverni Project) with funding provided by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, which is examining the Late Bronze Age/Iron Age transition in south-west Ireland. In 2004-6 I excavated a large hillfort at Clashanimud, Co. Cork, which has provided important insights into regional warfare and society in the Late Bronze Age. This research is ongoing, with an investigation of the wider late prehistoric/early historic settlement landscape in mid-Cork. That work includes a study of the early medieval tribal centre at Garranes, Co. Cork where I commenced excavation work in 2011. In 2011 I was awarded a Senior Fellowship by IRCHSS to work on a project titled 'Hillforts, warfare and society in late prehistoric Ireland'. This is the first major study undertaken on the subject of warfare in early Ireland. The project reviewed archaeological evidence for inter-regional conflicts during the Late Bronze Age (1300-600 BC), with specific reference to the position of hillforts in that society. The project was published in a series of articles and as a monograph (O'Brien and O'Driscoll 2017, Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland. Archaeopress, Oxford).
This project was concluded in 2024 by a book on prehistoric hillforts in Baltinglass, so-called 'Ireland's Hillfort Capital', produced in collaboration with James O'Driscoll and Alan Hawkes. In 2021, I published a monograph on the early medieval royal site at Garranes, Co. Cork with my colleague, Nick Hogan. The following year I brought out a monograph on Derrycarhoon mine in Co. Cork, the only copper source identified from the later Bronze Age in Ireland (published 2022 BAR Oxford).
Biography
Professor William O'Brien is a graduate of University College Cork where he completed doctoral research in 1987 on the subject of prehistoric copper mining. Prior to his appointment to the Cork chair in 2006, he lectured for 16 years in the Department of Archaeology, N.U.I. Galway. Research interests include the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in Ireland, early mining and metallurgy in Atlantic Europe, upland archaeology, the study of hillforts and all aspects of monumentality in the later prehistoric period. He has a particular interest in the prehistory of south-west Ireland, where he has conducted numerous research excavations.He has published widely, including ten books on topics such as the Bronze Age copper mines on Mount Gabriel, wedge tomb landscapes in south-west Ireland, his discovery of the Beaker copper mine at Ross Island, Co. Kerry, a study of early settlement landscapes and upland farming in the Beara Peninsula, the first general work on the prehistory of the Cork region, and the first book on Bronze Age copper mining in Europe. Recent work includes a study of hillforts, warfare and society in Late Bronze Age Ireland (2017) and a study of the early medieval royal site of Garranes, Co. Cork (2021, both published by Archaeopress, Oxford; an investigation of a Late Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon, Co. Cork (2022) and a book on Baltinglass and the prehistoric hillforts of Ireland (2024, with James O'Driscoll and Alan Hawkes). He is currently working on coastal promontory forts in Cork.
Research Interests
My research interests lie in Irish and European prehistory and specifically in three areas: early mining and metal-using societies in Atlantic Europe, the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age in Ireland (c.2500-600 BC), and the later prehistory of south-west Ireland. My published work is marked by inter-disciplinary collaborations with Irish and international researchers. I am an experienced research excavator, with some 30 projects completed to publication, including many sites that are highly significant to our understanding of Irish prehistory.
These studies commenced in 1982 with doctoral research on Bronze Age copper mines and their wider cultural context. I am a leading specialist in this field, having developed new approaches towards the understanding of early metal mines and their role in prehistoric societies. My 1994 publication on the Mount Gabriel complex was the first detailed study of Bronze Age copper mining to be completed in north-west Europe. This was followed by the discovery and investigation of a Beaker/Early Bronze Age copper mine at Ross Island in Killarney. The publication of that work in 2004 is now central to our understanding of the origins of metallurgy in Ireland, highlighting the key role of Beaker cultures in the transmission of metallurgical knowledge in the Atlantic zone. The Ross Island project continues to be one of the most detailed studies of an ancient metal mine conducted anywhere in the world. The project included the publication in 2001 of collaboration with researchers in the University of Oxford, where lead isotope analysis was successfully applied to the characterization of early metal sources in Ireland. I continue to work on early copper mines in south-west Ireland, with recent research on the Derrycarhoon mine near Ballydehob, and several sites in the Beara Peninsula.
This research led to publication of the first general book dealing with prehistoric copper mining in Europe (Oxford University Press, 2015). While interested in the technological aspects of early mining, I have approached this field mostly as a prehistorian concerned with Chalcolithic and Bronze Age societies in Ireland. A example of this is my study of Early Bronze Age megalithic tombs in the Mizen Peninsula published in 1999, which used the beliefs embedded in these monuments as a means of understanding the social context of contemporary copper production and use. The `Sacred Ground' monograph was an important advance in our understanding of the societal context of early mining communities in Ireland, and remains the most comprehensive study of wedge tomb monuments.
From 2001-4 I conducted a study of early settlement landscapes and upland farming in the Beara Peninsula, funded by the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (cycle 2). This involved detailed survey and excavation of ancient farmscapes preserved beneath beneath blanket bog in hill valleys, looking at the settlement history of these locations from late prehistoric to medieval times. The publication of this work in 2009 ('Local Worlds') is the first book dealing with early farming and pre-bog farmscapes in Ireland. The Beara project uncovered exciting new evidence for Iron Age agricultural settlement in the south-west peninsulas, a period of prehistory that is not well understood in southern Ireland. In 2004 I conducted a new research programme (The Iverni Project) with funding provided by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, which is examining the Late Bronze Age/Iron Age transition in south-west Ireland. In 2004-6 I excavated a large hillfort at Clashanimud, Co. Cork, which has provided important insights into regional warfare and society in the Late Bronze Age. This research is ongoing, with an investigation of the wider late prehistoric/early historic settlement landscape in mid-Cork. That work includes a study of the early medieval tribal centre at Garranes, Co. Cork where I commenced excavation work in 2011. In 2011 I was awarded a Senior Fellowship by IRCHSS to work on a project titled 'Hillforts, warfare and society in late prehistoric Ireland'. This is the first major study undertaken on the subject of warfare in early Ireland. The project reviewed archaeological evidence for inter-regional conflicts during the Late Bronze Age (1300-600 BC), with specific reference to the position of hillforts in that society. The project was published in a series of articles and as a monograph (O'Brien and O'Driscoll 2017, Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland. Archaeopress, Oxford).
This project was concluded in 2024 by a book on prehistoric hillforts in Baltinglass, so-called 'Ireland's Hillfort Capital', produced in collaboration with James O'Driscoll and Alan Hawkes. In 2021, I published a monograph on the early medieval royal site at Garranes, Co. Cork with my colleague, Nick Hogan. The following year I brought out a monograph on Derrycarhoon mine in Co. Cork, the only copper source identified from the later Bronze Age in Ireland (published 2022 BAR Oxford).
Publications
Books
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2022) | Derrycarhoon: a Later Bronze Age Copper Mine in South-west Ireland. William O'Brien (2022) Derrycarhoon: a Later Bronze Age Copper Mine in South-west Ireland. Oxford: BAR Publishing. [Details] | |
| (2021) | Garranes: an early medieval royal site in south-west Ireland. William O'Brien and Nick Hogan (with contributors) (2021) Garranes: an early medieval royal site in south-west Ireland. Oxford: Archaeopress. [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2017) | Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland. O'Brien, W. and O'Driscoll, J, (2017) Hillforts, Warfare and Society in Bronze Age Ireland. Oxford: Archaeopress. [Details] | |
| (2015) | Prehistoric Copper Mining in Europe, 5500 - 500 BC. O'Brien, W. (2015) Prehistoric Copper Mining in Europe, 5500 - 500 BC. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details] | |
| (2012) | Iverni: a Prehistory of Cork. William O'Brien; (2012) Iverni: a Prehistory of Cork. Cork, Ireland: Collins Press. [Details] | |
| (2009) | Local Worlds: Early Settlement Landscapes and Upland Farming in South-west Ireland. W O'Brien; (2009) Local Worlds: Early Settlement Landscapes and Upland Farming in South-west Ireland. Cork: Collins Press. [Details] | |
| (2004) | Ross Island. Mining, Metal and Society in Early Ireland. William O'Brien; (2004) Ross Island. Mining, Metal and Society in Early Ireland. Galway: Galway University Press. [Details] | |
| (1999) | Sacred Ground. Megalithic Tombs in Coastal South-west Ireland. William O'Brien; (1999) Sacred Ground. Megalithic Tombs in Coastal South-west Ireland. Galway: Galway University Press. [Details] | |
| (1996) | Bronze Age Copper Mining in Britain and Ireland. W O'Brien; (1996) Bronze Age Copper Mining in Britain and Ireland. Shire Archaeology: Princes Risborough. [Details] | |
| (1994) | Mount Gabriel: Bronze Age Mining in Ireland. William O'Brien; (1994) Mount Gabriel: Bronze Age Mining in Ireland. Galway: Galway University Press. [Details] |
Book Chapters
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Boulder-burials and Bronze Age Religion' W. O'Brien (2024) 'Boulder-burials and Bronze Age Religion' In: Coppeen: a Glimpse of the Past. Cork: Coppeen Archaeological and Historical Society. [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Tin, gold and the earliest bronze in Ireland' William O'Brien (2023) 'Tin, gold and the earliest bronze in Ireland' In: Claudia Pankau, Holger Baitinger and Astrid Stobbe (eds). Ein Schwabe in der Welt. Bonn: Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH. [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Beaker culture mobility and metal in Atlantic Europe: some implications for genetic and language origins' William O'Brien (2023) 'Beaker culture mobility and metal in Atlantic Europe: some implications for genetic and language origins' In: The Indo-European Puzzle Revisited: Integrating Archaeology, Genetics and Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [Details] | |
| (2022) | 'Trade and the hillfort chiefdoms of Bronze Age Ireland' William O'Brien (2022) 'Trade and the hillfort chiefdoms of Bronze Age Ireland' In: Johan Ling, Richard Chacon and Kristian Kristiansen (eds). Trade before Civilisation: Long-distance Exchange and the Rise of Social Complexity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'A prehistory of Kerry' O'Brien, W. (2020) 'A prehistory of Kerry' In: Kerry: History and Society (Bric, M. (ed.). Dublin: Geography Publications. [Details] | |
| (2019) | 'The Irish hillfort' O’Driscoll, James; Hawkes, Alan; O’Brien, William (2019) 'The Irish hillfort' In: G. Lock and I. Ralston (eds). Hillforts: Britain, Ireland and the Nearer Continent. Oxford: Archaeopress Archaeology. [DOI] [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2018) | 'Warfare and the burning of hillforts in Bronze Age Ireland' W.O'Brien, J. O'Driscoll and N. Hogan (2018) 'Warfare and the burning of hillforts in Bronze Age Ireland' In: M. Fernandex-Gotz and N. Roymans (eds). Conflict Archaeology: Materialities of Collective Violence from Prehistory to Late Antiquity. London: Routledge. [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Language shift and political context in Bronze Age Ireland: some implications of hillfort chronology' William O'Brien (2016) 'Language shift and political context in Bronze Age Ireland: some implications of hillfort chronology' In: John Koch and Barry Cunliffe (eds). Celtic from the West 3: Atlantic Europe in the Metal Ages. Oxford: Oxbow Books. [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Bronze Age copper mining in Europe' O'Brien, W; (2013) 'Bronze Age copper mining in Europe' In: Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age. Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Copper mining in Ireland during the later Bronze Age' O'Brien, W. (2013) 'Copper mining in Ireland during the later Bronze Age' In: Mining in European History and its Impact on Environment and Human Societies. Innsbruck, Austria: University of Innsbruck. [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Late prehistoric settlement in mid and north Cork' O'Brien, W. (2013) 'Late prehistoric settlement in mid and north Cork' In: Generations. The Archaeology of Five National Road Schemes in County Cork. Dublin: National Roads Authority. [Details] | |
| (2013) | 'Characterising vegetation changes in former minng and metalworking areas during prehistoric and Roman times: perspectives from Britain and Ireland' Michall, T., Cortizas, A.M., Sanchez, N.S., Timberlake, S., Chambers, F. and O'Brien, W. (2013) 'Characterising vegetation changes in former minng and metalworking areas during prehistoric and Roman times: perspectives from Britain and Ireland' In: Mining in European History and its Impact on Environment and Human Societies. Innsbruck, Austria: University of Innsbruck. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Stone circle or proto-Cashel? An Iron Age enclosure in south-west Ireland' O'Brien, W; (2012) 'Stone circle or proto-Cashel? An Iron Age enclosure in south-west Ireland' In: Life and Death in Iron Age Ireland. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Characterising vegetation changes in former mining and metalworking areas during prehistoric and Roman times' T. Mighall, S. Timberlake, F. Chambers and W. O'Brien (2012) 'Characterising vegetation changes in former mining and metalworking areas during prehistoric and Roman times' In: Acta Mineraria et Metallurgica. Bergamo, Italy: Notizie Archeologiche Bergomensi. [Details] | |
| (2009) | 'Hidden Celtic Ireland: indigenous Iron Age settlement in the southwestern peninsulas' W O'Brien; (2009) 'Hidden Celtic Ireland: indigenous Iron Age settlement in the southwestern peninsulas' In: Relics of Old Decency. Archaeological Studies in Later Prehistory. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details] | |
| (2009) | 'Beara, south-west Ireland: a liminal cultural landscape' A. Overland, M. O'Connell and W.O'Brien (2009) 'Beara, south-west Ireland: a liminal cultural landscape' In: Cultural Landscapes of Europe. Bremen: Aschenbeck Media for EU. [Details] | |
| (2007) | 'Miners and farmers: local settlement contexts for Bronze Age mining' William O'Brien; (2007) 'Miners and farmers: local settlement contexts for Bronze Age mining' In: Beyond Stonehenge. Oxbow: Festschrift for Colin Burgess. [Details] | |
| (2005) | 'The prehistory of Killarney' William O'Brien; (2005) 'The prehistory of Killarney' In: A History of Killarney. unknown: Collins Press. [Details] | |
| (2004) | 'Con)fusion of tradition: the circle henge in Ireland' W O'Brien; (2004) 'Con)fusion of tradition: the circle henge in Ireland' In: From Sickles to Circles: Britain and Ireland at the Time of Stonehenge. *: Tempus. [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Early metalworking and myth on the lakes of Killarney' William O'Brien; (2003) 'Early metalworking and myth on the lakes of Killarney' In: Lost and Found: Discovering Ireland¿s Past. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Bronze Age mining heritage' W. O'Brien (2003) 'Bronze Age mining heritage' In: Mine Heritage and Tourism: a Hidden Resource. Dublin: Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland. [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Miscellaneous entries' W. O'Brien (2003) 'Miscellaneous entries' In: The Encyclopedia of Ireland. Dublin: Gill and McMillan. [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Early metalworking and myth on the lakes of Killarney' W. O'Brien (2003) 'Early metalworking and myth on the lakes of Killarney' In: Lost and Found: Discovering Ireland's Past. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'Killarney in prehistoric times' W. O'Brien (2001) 'Killarney in prehistoric times' In: Killarney National Park: a Place to Treasure. Cork: The Collins Press. [Details] | |
| (2000) | 'Megalithic tombs, metal resources and territory in prehistoric south-west Ireland' William O'Brien; (2000) 'Megalithic tombs, metal resources and territory in prehistoric south-west Ireland' In: New Agendas in Irish Prehistory: Papers in Commemoration of Liz Anderson. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details] | |
| (2000) | 'Prehistoric copper mining and its impact on vegetation' W O'Brien, T.M. Mighall, F.M. Chambers, and J.N. Lanting; (2000) 'Prehistoric copper mining and its impact on vegetation' In: People as an Agent of Environmental Change. Symposium of the Association for Environmental Archaeology 16. *: Oxbow Books. [Details] | |
| (1992) | 'Prehistoric copper mines' W. O'Brien (1992) 'Prehistoric copper mines' In: Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Dublin: Stationary Office. [Details] | |
| (1991) | 'Prehistoric copper mining in south-west Ireland' W. O'Brien (1991) 'Prehistoric copper mining in south-west Ireland' In: The Illustrated Archaeology of Ireland. Dublin: County House. [Details] | |
| (1988) | 'Koppargruvorna vid Mount Gabriel' W. O'Brien (1988) 'Koppargruvorna vid Mount Gabriel' In: Irland: Den Gatfulla On. Stockholm: Statens Historiska Museum. [Details] |
Peer Reviewed Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Archaeological excavation of a Bronze Age stone circle and boulder-burial at Gorteanish, Ahakista, Co. Cork' W. O'Brien and N. Hogan (2024) 'Archaeological excavation of a Bronze Age stone circle and boulder-burial at Gorteanish, Ahakista, Co. Cork'. Journal of Irish Archaeology, 33 :45-71 [Details] | |
| (2023) | 'Bronze Age stone rows in south-west Ireland' W. O'Brien (2023) 'Bronze Age stone rows in south-west Ireland'. Journal of The Cork Archaeological and Historical Society, 128 :4-30 [Details] | |
| (2021) | 'Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland' Kevin Kearney and William O'Brien (2021) 'Palynological investigation of a later Bronze Age copper mine at Derrycarhoon in south-west Ireland'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy Section C-Archaeology Celtic Studies History Linguistics Literature, 121C :1-36 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2020) | 'Lisnamanroe and the early medieval 'royal site' at Garranes , Co. Cork' O'Brien, W. and Hogan, N. (2020) 'Lisnamanroe and the early medieval 'royal site' at Garranes , Co. Cork'. Journal of The Cork Archaeological and Historical Society, 125 :5-38 [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'The development of the hillfort in prehistoric Ireland' W. O'Brien (2017) 'The development of the hillfort in prehistoric Ireland'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy Section C-Archaeology Celtic Studies History Linguistics Literature, 117C :1-59 [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Vegetation change during the Mesolithic and Neolithic on the Mizen Peninsula, Co. Cork, south-west Ireland' Mighall, TM;Timpany, S;Blackford, JJ;Innes, JB;O'Brien, CE;O'Brien, W;Harrison, S (2008) 'Vegetation change during the Mesolithic and Neolithic on the Mizen Peninsula, Co. Cork, south-west Ireland'. Vegetation History And Archaeobotany, 17 :617-628 [DOI] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Glanbane hillfort and the Bronze age in Kerry' W.O'Brien, J. O'Driscoll and N. Hogan (2016) 'Glanbane hillfort and the Bronze age in Kerry'. Journal of The Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, 16 :77-105 [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Archaeological investigations at Ballylin hillfort, Co. Limerick' O’Brien, William; Hogan, Nick; O’Driscoll, James (2016) 'Archaeological investigations at Ballylin hillfort, Co. Limerick'. North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 56 :1-26 [Full Text] [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'Clashanimud and the Bronze Age hillforts of Munster' William O'Brien (2016) 'Clashanimud and the Bronze Age hillforts of Munster'. Emania, 23 :5-30 [Details] | |
| (2015) | 'Archaeological investigations at Toor More (Corrandhu) hillfort, Co. Kilkenny' W.O'Brien, N. Hogan and J. O'Driscoll (2015) 'Archaeological investigations at Toor More (Corrandhu) hillfort, Co. Kilkenny'. Journal of The Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 144-5 :7-26 [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Aspects of fulacht fiadh function and chronology in Cork' O'Brien, William; (2012) 'Aspects of fulacht fiadh function and chronology in Cork'. Journal of The Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 117 :107-133 [Details] | |
| (2010) | 'Knockatreenane and the prehistoric barrows of Cork' O'Brien, W; (2010) 'Knockatreenane and the prehistoric barrows of Cork'. Journal of the Cork Archaeological and Historical Society, 115 :31-62 [Details] | |
| (2008) | 'Archaeological investigations at Ross island cave, Killarney, Co. Kerry' William O'Brien and Michelle Comber; (2008) 'Archaeological investigations at Ross island cave, Killarney, Co. Kerry'. Journal of Irish Archaeology, 17 :19-56 [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'The Bronze Age copper mines of the Goleen area, Co. Cork' William O'Brien; (2003) 'The Bronze Age copper mines of the Goleen area, Co. Cork'. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 103c :13-59 [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'Lead isotopes and metal circulation in Beaker/Early Bronze Age Ireland' William O'Brien, Northover, J. and Stos, S; (2001) 'Lead isotopes and metal circulation in Beaker/Early Bronze Age Ireland'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, (10):25-48 [Details] | |
| (1997) | 'Mount Gabriel and metal sourcing in the Bronze Age' W O'Brien; (1997) 'Mount Gabriel and metal sourcing in the Bronze Age'. Journal of Historical Metallurgy, 31 (1):8-11 [Details] | |
| (1996) | 'From the Fiery Furnace: Copper sources and Early Irish Metallurgy' W O'Brien; (1996) 'From the Fiery Furnace: Copper sources and Early Irish Metallurgy'. Occasional Papers in Irish Science and Technology, [Details] | |
| (1992) | 'An Early Bronze Age metal hoard from a wedge tomb at Toormore, County Cork' William O'Brien, Northover, J. P. and Cameron, E.; (1992) 'An Early Bronze Age metal hoard from a wedge tomb at Toormore, County Cork'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, (5):9-17 [Details] | |
| (1992) | 'Boulder-burials: a later Bronze Age megalith tradition in south-west Ireland' William O'Brien; (1992) 'Boulder-burials: a later Bronze Age megalith tradition in south-west Ireland'. Journal of the Cork Archaeological and Historical Society, (97):11-35 [Details] | |
| (1990) | 'Prehistoric copper mining in south-west ireland: the Mount Gabriel mines' W O'Brien; (1990) 'Prehistoric copper mining in south-west ireland: the Mount Gabriel mines'. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society, 56 :269-290 [Details] | |
| (1989) | 'A primitive mining complex at Derrycarhoon, County Cork' W O'Brien; (1989) 'A primitive mining complex at Derrycarhoon, County Cork'. Journal of Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 94 :1-18 [Details] | |
| (1987) | 'The dating of the Mount Gabriel-type mines of West Cork' W O'Brien; (1987) 'The dating of the Mount Gabriel-type mines of West Cork'. Journal of Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 92 :50-70 [Details] |
Other Journals
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2024) | 'Stone circles and solar religion in West Cork' W. O'Brien and N. Hogan (2024) 'Stone circles and solar religion in West Cork' Archaeology Ireland, 38 (3) :30-35. [Details] | |
| (2017) | 'Toor More (Corrandhu): a Bronze Age hillfort in north Kilkenny' William O'Brien (2017) 'Toor More (Corrandhu): a Bronze Age hillfort in north Kilkenny' Old Kilkenny Review, 69 :34-50. [Details] | |
| (2012) | 'Derrycarhoon: a Bronze Age copper mine in West Cork' William O'Brien and Hogan, Nick; (2012) 'Derrycarhoon: a Bronze Age copper mine in West Cork' Archaeology Ireland, 26(1) (99) :12-15. [Details] | |
| (2003) | 'Bronze Age copper mines at Callaros Oughter and Carrigacat' William O'Brien; (2003) 'Bronze Age copper mines at Callaros Oughter and Carrigacat' Mizen Journal, :91-102. [Details] | |
| (2002) | 'Bronze Age copper mining at Boulysallagh, Goleen, Co. Cork' William O'Brien; (2002) 'Bronze Age copper mining at Boulysallagh, Goleen, Co. Cork' Mizen Journal, :1-16. [Details] | |
| (2001) | 'Bronze Age copper mining on Ballyrisode Hill, Co. Cork' William O'Brien; (2001) 'Bronze Age copper mining on Ballyrisode Hill, Co. Cork' Mizen Journal, :5-15. [Details] | |
| (1998) | 'The protection of mining heritage in Ireland' W O'Brien; (1998) 'The protection of mining heritage in Ireland' Mining History Society of Ireland newsletter 6, 7 :4-6. [Details] | |
| (1995) | 'Ross Island: the beginning' William O'Brien; (1995) 'Ross Island: the beginning' Archaeology Ireland, :24-27. [Details] | |
| (1994) | 'Bronze Age: The first Golden Age in Europe' W O'Brien; (1994) 'Bronze Age: The first Golden Age in Europe' European Heritage, 2 :6-10. [Details] | |
| (1993) | 'Bronze Age copper mining on Mount Gabriel' William O'Brien; (1993) 'Bronze Age copper mining on Mount Gabriel' Mizen Journal, :27-32. [Details] | |
| (1993) | 'Bronze Age copper mining in West Cork' William O'Brien; (1993) 'Bronze Age copper mining in West Cork' Irish Association of Economic Geology Annual Review, :73-75. [Details] | |
| (1993) | 'Altar Tomb and the prehistory of Mizen' William O'Brien; (1993) 'Altar Tomb and the prehistory of Mizen' Mizen Journal, :19-26. [Details] |
Conference Publications
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2019) | Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic Archipelago and Beyond. Proceedings of the Belfast Bronze Age Forum, November 2013 O'Brien, W. (2019) Derrycarhoon mine and the supply of copper in later Bronze Age Ireland . In: Brandherm, D eds. Aspects of the Bronze Age in the Atlantic Archipelago and Beyond. Proceedings of the Belfast Bronze Age Forum, November 2013 , pp.121-143 [Details] | |
| (2019) | Materialisation of Conflicts O'Brien, W. (2019) Metal in water: a materialisation of war in the Irish Bronze Age? . In: Hansen, S. and Krause, R eds. Materialisation of Conflicts Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH, Bonn, , pp.67-84 [Details] | |
| (2018) | Bronze Age Hilforts between Taunus and Carpathian Mountains O'Brien, W. (2018) Hillforts and warfare in Bronze Age Ireland . In: Svend Hansen and Rudiger Krause eds. Bronze Age Hilforts between Taunus and Carpathian Mountains Verlag Dr. Rudolf Habelt GmbH, Bonn, , pp.243-264 [Details] | |
| (2012) | The British Chalcolithic: Place and Polity in the later 3rd Millennium BC William O'Brien; (2012) The Chalcolithic in Ireland: a chronological and cultural framework . In: Allen, Michael J; Gardiner, Julie; Sheridan, Alison; McOmish, David eds. The British Chalcolithic: Place and Polity in the later 3rd Millennium BC Oxbow, , pp.211-225 [Details] | |
| (2011) | Povoamento e Exploracao dos Recursos Mineiros William O'Brien; (2011) Prehistoric copper mining and metallurgical expertise in Ireland . In: Carla Maria Braz Martins, Ana Bettencourt, Jose Inacio Martins and Jorge Carvalho eds. Povoamento e Exploracao dos Recursos Mineiros Braga, Portugal, , pp.337-357 [Details] | |
| (2010) | Mining in European History O'Brien, W; (2010) Copper axes, stone axes: Production and Exchange Systems in the Chalcolithic of Britain and Ireland . In: Anreiter, Peter et al eds. Mining in European History , pp.255-260 [Details] | |
| (2005) | La Premiere Metallurgie en France ed dans les Pays Limithrophes, La Société Préhistorique Française W O'Brien; (2005) La plus ancienne metallurgie du cuivre en Irlande . In: Ambert, P and Vaquer, J eds. La Premiere Metallurgie en France ed dans les Pays Limithrophes, La Société Préhistorique Française Mémoire 37, Travaux, La Société Préhistorique Française, , pp.37-50 [Details] | |
| (2003) | Minet Conference W. O'Brien (2003) Bronze Age mining heritage . In: J. Morris and M. Parkes eds. Minet Conference , pp.51-53 [Details] | |
| (2002) | Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe W O'Brien; (2002) Megaliths in a mythologised landscape: south-west Ireland in the Iron Age . In: Scarre, C eds. Monuments and Landscape in Atlantic Europe Routledge, , pp.152-176 [Details] | |
| (2001) | Bell Beakers Today, the Proceedings of the Riva del Garda conference, May 1998, Trento William O'Brien; (2001) New light on Beaker metallurgy in Ireland . In: Richard Harrison et al eds. Bell Beakers Today, the Proceedings of the Riva del Garda conference, May 1998, Trento Trento, , pp.144-160 [Details] | |
| (1999) | Metals in Antiquity, Proceedings of the 1995 Harvard Conference W O'Brien; (1999) Arsenical copper in early Irish metallurgy . In: Young, S. et al eds. Metals in Antiquity, Proceedings of the 1995 Harvard Conference British Archaeological Reports (International Series), Archaeopress, Oxford, , pp.33-42 [Details] | |
| (1999) | The Beginnings of Metallurgy William O'Brien; (1999) Resource availability and metal supply in the insular Bronze Age . In: Hauptmann et al eds. The Beginnings of Metallurgy , pp.227-235 [Details] | |
| (1998) | Paleometallurgie des Cuivres, Actes du colloque de Bourge-en-Bress et Beaune W O'Brien; (1998) La mine de cuivre de Ross Island et la metallurgie chacolithique en Irlande . In: Frere-Sautot, M eds. Paleometallurgie des Cuivres, Actes du colloque de Bourge-en-Bress et Beaune , pp.101-107 [Details] | |
| (1998) | English Heritage Conference, London W O'Brien; (1998) Approaches to the study of metal in the insular Bronze Age . In: J Bayley eds. English Heritage Conference, London , pp.109-122 [Details] | |
| (1997) | Human Interactions with the Irish Quaternary W. O'Brien (1997) Early mining and its impact on the Irsh landscape . In: J. Morris and M. Parkes eds. Human Interactions with the Irish Quaternary , pp.11-14 [Details] | |
| (1995) | Ireland in the Bronze Age, Dublin Castle conference W O'Brien; (1995) Ross Island and the origins of Irish-British metallurgy . In: J Waddell, E, Shee eds. Ireland in the Bronze Age, Dublin Castle conference , pp.38-48 [Details] | |
| (1993) | Past Perceptions: the Prehistoric Archaeology of South-west Ireland W O'Brien; (1993) Early metallurgy in Cork and Kerry Past Perceptions: the Prehistoric Archaeology of South-west Ireland , pp.85-92 [Details] | |
| (1993) | Past Perceptions: the Prehistoric Archaeology of South-west Ireland W O'Brien; (1993) Aspects of wedge tomb chronology . In: E Shee-Twohig, M. Ronayne eds. Past Perceptions: the Prehistoric Archaeology of South-west Ireland Cork University Press, , pp.63-74 [Details] | |
| (1990) | Early Metal Mining in the British Isles O'Brien, W, Ixer, R, O'Sullivan M; (1990) Copper resources in prehistory: an Irish perspective . In: Peter Crew and Susan Crew eds. Early Metal Mining in the British Isles Plas Tan y Bwlch, Wales, , pp.30-35 [Details] |
Field Guide
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2002) | Miscellaneous entries. W O'Brien; (2002) Miscellaneous entries. Ireland: Field Guide [Details] | |
| (1996) | Archaeological Investigations at Ross Island. W O'Brien; (1996) Archaeological Investigations at Ross Island. Kerry: Field Guide [Details] | |
| (1992) | Prehistoric copper mines. William O'Brien; (1992) Prehistoric copper mines. Field Guide [Details] |
Journal Volume Edited
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (1997) | The Journal of Irish Archaeology. O'Brien, W. (1997) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. Journal Volume Edited [Details] | |
| (2002) | The Journal of Irish Archaeology. O'Brien, W. (2002) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. Journal Volume Edited [Details] | |
| (2001) | The Journal of Irish Archaeology. O'Brien, W. (2001) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. Journal Volume Edited [Details] | |
| (1998) | The Journal of Irish Archaeology. O'Brien, W. (1998) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. Journal Volume Edited [Details] |
Professional Activities
Honours and Awards
| Year | Title | Awarding Body | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | College Scholar Award, UCC | University College Cork | |
| 2017 | Elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London | Society of Antiquaries of London | |
| 1997 | Trevelyan Research Fellow, University of Durham | University of Durham | |
| 2008 | Elected member, Royal Irish Academy | Royal Irish Academy |
Conference Contributions
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| (2023) | Bronze Age Forum, William O'Brien (2023) Recent excavation of a Bronze age stone circle in south-west Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Bronze Age Forum, Leicester University, UK . [Details] | |
| (2019) | 33rd Irish Conference of Medievalists, O'Brien, W. (2019) Garranes: an early medieval royal landscape in south-west Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 33rd Irish Conference of Medievalists, University Colllege cORK , 27-JUN-19 - 29-JUN-19. [Details] | |
| (2018) | Prehistoric Conflict Research: Materialisations of Conflict. 3rd International LOEWE Conference, O'Brien, W. (2018) Metal in the Landscape: a Materialisation of War and Conflict in the Irish Bronze Age?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Prehistoric Conflict Research: Materialisations of Conflict. 3rd International LOEWE Conference, Fulda, Germany , 24-SEP-18 - 27-SEP-18. [Details] | |
| (2018) | When Archaeology meets Linguistics and Genetics, O'Brien, W. (2018) Beaker culture mobility and metal in Atlantic Europe. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], When Archaeology meets Linguistics and Genetics, University of Gothenberg , 04-MAY-18 - 04-JUL-19. [Details] | |
| (2017) | Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland conference, W. OBrien and J. O'Driscoll (2017) The Hillfort in Prehistoric Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Atlas of Hillforts of Britain and Ireland conference, University of Edinburgh . [Details] | |
| (2017) | Rock art and Metal: Late Bronze Age contact between Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula, W. O'Brien, L. Grandin, J. Ling and Z. Stos-Gale (2017) Moving Metals: an Irish Contribution?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Rock art and Metal: Late Bronze Age contact between Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula, University of Gothenberg . [Details] | |
| (2016) | Trade before Civilization, William O'Brien (2016) Hillforts, Trade and Society in Bronze Age Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Trade before Civilization, University of Gothenberg, Sweden , 27-MAY-16 - 28-MAY-16. [Details] | |
| (2016) | Prehistoric Conflict Research: Bronze Age Hillforts between Taunus and Carpathian Mountains, William O'Brien (2016) Bronze Age hillforts in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Prehistoric Conflict Research: Bronze Age Hillforts between Taunus and Carpathian Mountains, Goethe University Frankfurt , 07-DEC-16 - 09-DEC-16. [Details] | |
| (2016) | 'A Matter of Time', William O'Brien (2016) Annual conference, Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 'A Matter of Time', Galway , 29-APR-16 - 30-APR-16. [Details] | |
| (2015) | Archaeometallurgy 2015, W.O'Brien (2015) Information flow and the early spread of metallurgical knowledge in Atlantic Europe. [Keynote Speaker], Archaeometallurgy 2015, University of Madrid . [Details] | |
| (2015) | European Association of Archaeologists, W. O'Brien and J. O'Driscoll (2015) Warfare and the destruction of hillforts in Bronze Age Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], European Association of Archaeologists, University of Glasgow , 02-SEP-15 - 05-SEP-15. [Details] | |
| (2015) | The Hillforts of Britain and Ireland, W.O'Brien (2015) Recent research on hillfort chronology in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Hillforts of Britain and Ireland, University of Oxford , 27-NOV-15 - 29-NOV-15. [Details] | |
| (2014) | Atlantic Europe in the Metal Ages, W. O'Brien (2014) Recent research on Bronze Age hillforts in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Atlantic Europe in the Metal Ages, University College Cardiff . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Ireland and Germany: Past and Present Connections’, W. O'Brien (2013) Prehistoric Cork and the outside world. [Oral Presentation], Ireland and Germany: Past and Present Connections’, Rosscarbery, Co. Cork . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Bronze Age Forum, W. O'Brien (2013) Derrycarhoon and Later Bronze Age copper mining in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Bronze Age Forum, Queens University, Belfast . [Details] | |
| (2013) | ‘Cork Connections’, W. O'Brien (2013) The meeting of cultures: 8000 years of Cork connections with the outside world. [Oral Presentation], ‘Cork Connections’, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2013) | Bronze Age Forum, W. O'Brien (2013) Hillforts and Bronze Age warfare in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Bronze Age Forum, University of Sheffield . [Details] | |
| (2012) | Europa Conference of The Prehistoric Society, W. O'Brien (2012) Beakers and early copper mining in Atlantic Europe, 2500–2000 BC. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Europa Conference of The Prehistoric Society, University of Durham, England . [Details] | |
| (2012) | Europa Conference of The Prehistoric Society, W. O'Brien (2012) Hillforts, warfare and society in Late Bronze Age Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Europa Conference of The Prehistoric Society, University of Reading, England . [Details] | |
| (2010) | Celts from the West, W. O'Brien (2010) Celts, Romans and the indigenous Late Bronze Age /Iron Age of south-west Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Celts from the West, University of Oxford . [Details] | |
| (2009) | Archaeometallurgy: Technological, Economic and Social Perspectives in Late Prehistoric Europe’, W. O'Brien (2009) The introduction of tin-bronze to Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Archaeometallurgy: Technological, Economic and Social Perspectives in Late Prehistoric Europe’, Madrid, Spain . [Details] | |
| (2009) | Mining in European History, W. O'Brien (2009) Stone axes, copper axes: mining, production and exchange in the Chalcolithic of Atlantic Europe. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Mining in European History, University of Innsbruck . [Details] | |
| (2008) | Prehistoric Society conference on British Chalcolithic, W. O'Brien (2008) Metal supply and social relations in Chalcolithic Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Prehistoric Society conference on British Chalcolithic, Bournemouth, England . [Details] | |
| (2007) | Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland ANNUAL conference, W. O'Brien (2007) Knockatreenane and prehistoric barrows in Cork. [Oral Presentation], Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland ANNUAL conference, Cork city . [Details] | |
| (2007) | Recent Research on Irish Iron Age, W. O'Brien (2007) Iron Age stone circles? Continuity and change in ritual practices in late prehistoric Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Recent Research on Irish Iron Age, Society of Antiquaries, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2006) | Bronze Age Forum, W. O'Brien (2006) Goodbye to all that. Aspects of fulachtai fai function in prehistoric Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Bronze Age Forum, UCD, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2005) | European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, W. O'Brien (2005) Upland settlement and early agriculture in south-west Ireland. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, UCC . [Details] | |
| (2003) | conference on agricultural field systems, W. O'Brien (2003) Upland settlement and early farming in south-west Ireland. [Oral Presentation], conference on agricultural field systems, UCD, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2003) | Beara: Early Settlement and Society in South-west Ireland’ conference, W. O'Brien (2003) The Barrees Landscape: 4000 years of Settlement in a Beara valley. [Oral Presentation], Beara: Early Settlement and Society in South-west Ireland’ conference, Centre for the Study of Human Settlement and Historical Change, NUI Galwa . [Details] | |
| (2002) | La première métallurgie ent France et dans les pays limotrophes, colluque international, W. O'Brien (2002) The earliest copper metallurgy in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], La première métallurgie ent France et dans les pays limotrophes, colluque international, Carcassonne, France . [Details] | |
| (2002) | Bronze Age Studies Group conference, W. O'Brien (2002) Miners and Farmers: exploring Bronze Age Settlement in South-west Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Bronze Age Studies Group conference, University of Newcastle . [Details] | |
| (2002) | Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology conference, W. O'Brien (2002) Trouble in Paradise: post-medieval mining in the Killarney area. [Oral Presentation], Irish Post-Medieval Archaeology conference, Trinity College, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (2000) | European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, W. O'Brien (2000) Megaliths in a mythologised landscape: the Iron Age in south-west Ireland. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, Lisbon, Portugal . [Details] | |
| (1999) | New Agendas in Irish Prehistory, W. O'Brien (1999) Megaliths, resources and territory in prehistoric south-west Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], New Agendas in Irish Prehistory, UCC . [Details] | |
| (1999) | 'The Beginnings of Metallurgy in the Old World', W. O'Brien (1999) Metal sourcing in the Irish Bronze Age: the relevance of the SAM programme. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 'The Beginnings of Metallurgy in the Old World', University of Freiberg, Germany . [Details] | |
| (1999) | National conference on mine heritage tourism, W. O'Brien (1999) Bronze Age mining heritage in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], National conference on mine heritage tourism, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary . [Details] | |
| (1997) | Colloque de Cuivre, W. O'Brien (1997) Ross Island copper mine and Beaker metallurgy in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Colloque de Cuivre, Bourg-en-Bresse, France . [Details] | |
| (1997) | Science in Archaeology, W. O'Brien (1997) Ore to metal: approaches to production and exchange in the insular Bronze Age. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Science in Archaeology, English Heritage, London . [Details] | |
| (1997) | Metals in Antiquity, W. O'Brien (1997) Arsenical copper in early Irish metallurgy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Metals in Antiquity, Harvard University, USA . [Details] | |
| (1996) | Irish Association for Quaternary Studies annual conference, W. O'Brien (1996) The environmental impact of ancient metal mining. [Oral Presentation], Irish Association for Quaternary Studies annual conference, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (1995) | Early Mining and Metallurgy, W. O'Brien (1995) Early Beaker mining and metallurgy in south-west Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Early Mining and Metallurgy, British Museum, London . [Details] | |
| (1995) | Recent Developments in Archaeometallurgy, W. O'Brien (1995) Recent developments in early Irish metallurgy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Recent Developments in Archaeometallurgy, University of Sheffield . [Details] | |
| (1995) | Ireland in the Bronze Age, W. O'Brien (1995) Ross Island and the origins of Irish-British metallurgy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Ireland in the Bronze Age, Dublin Castle, Dublin . [Details] | |
| (1995) | European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, W. O'Brien (1995) The impact of resource availability on early metallurgy in Atlantic Europe. [Oral Presentation], European Association of Archaeologists annual conference, Santiago de Compostela, Spain . [Details] | |
| (1995) | The Bronze Age in Atlantic Europe, W. O'Brien (1995) Copper resources and the development of early metallurgy in Atlantic Europe. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Bronze Age in Atlantic Europe, Lisbon, Portugal . [Details] | |
| (1994) | Earthwatch annual conference, W. O'Brien (1994) The Ross Island project: new light on the beginnings of Irish metallurgy. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Earthwatch annual conference, Harvard University, USA . [Details] | |
| (1992) | Bronze Age Studies Group annual meeting, W. O'Brien (1992) Wedge Tomb chronology: the Toormore Bay project. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Bronze Age Studies Group annual meeting, British Museum, London . [Details] | |
| (1992) | The Prehistory of South-west Ireland, W. O'Brien (1992) Megalithic tombs and early metallurgy in south-west Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Prehistory of South-west Ireland, University College Cork . [Details] | |
| (1992) | Earthwatch annual conference, W. O'Brien (1992) The Ross Island project: early metallurgy in County Kerry. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Earthwatch annual conference, Harvard University, USA . [Details] | |
| (1989) | Early Metal Mining in the British Isles, W. O'Brien (1989) Bronze Age copper mining in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Early Metal Mining in the British Isles, Plas tan y Bwlch, Wales . [Details] |
Professional Associations
| Association | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Irish Archaeologists | Member | / | |
| European Association of Archaeologists | Member | / |
Committees
| Committee | Function | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historical Metallurgy Society | Archaeology Committee | 1991 / 1994 | |
| Bronze Age Campaign, Council of Europe | Irish Delegate | 1993 / 1996 | |
| Irish Bronze Age Campaign Committee | Secretary | 1995 / 1995 | |
| Prehistoric Society, London | Council member | 1997 / 1998 | |
| The Discovery Programme, Dublin | Director | 1996 / 2000 | |
| National Committee for Archaeology, Royal Irish Academy | Member (Chair 2009-2013) | 2004 / | |
| Fellowships Renewals Committee, IRCHSS | Member 2005-2010 | 2005 / | |
| National Monuments Advisory Committee, Cork County Council | Advisor | 2006 / 2008 | |
| Academy Committee for Archaeology, Royal Irish Academy. | Chair | 2009 / | |
| Minius journal, University of Vigo, Spain. | Editorial Board | 2010 / | |
| Council, Cork Historical and Archaeological Society | President (and Council member 2006-15) | 2012 / 2015 |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From / To | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dept of Archaeology, UCC | Postgraduate Demonstrator | 01-JAN-82 / 31-DEC-85 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, UCC | Part-time Lecturer | 01-JAN-85 / 31-DEC-87 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, UCC | Full-time contract lecturer | 01-JAN-87 / 31-DEC-90 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, NUI Galway | Acting Head of Department | 01-JAN-03 / 31-DEC-03 | |
| Georgia Southern University, USA | Visiting Professor | 01-JAN-04 / 31-DEC-04 | |
| Faculty of Arts, NUI Galway | Vice-Dean (Research) | 01-JAN-05 / 31-DEC-06 | |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | Junior Lecturer (below bar) | 01-JAN-90 / 01-JAN-96 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, NUI, Galway | College Lecturer (above bar) | 01-JAN-96 / 01-JAN-01 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, NUI, Galway | Senior Lecturer (statutory) | 01-JAN-01 / 01-JAN-06 | |
| Dept of Archaeology, UCC | Professor of Archaeology | 01-JAN-06 / | |
| University College Cork | Head, School of the Human Environment | 01-SEP-12 / 31-AUG-18 | |
| University College Cork | Vice-head (T&L), College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences | 01-MAR-18 / 31-AUG-22 |
Education
| Year | Institution | Qualification | Subject | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | University College Cork | BA | Archaeology and Classical Civilisation | |
| 1987 | University College Cork | PHD | Archaeology |
Outreach Activities
| Description | |
|---|---|
I regularly lecture to local and national archaeology societies, and also lead field excursion to archaeological sites. I also visit schools in the Cork area to give presentations on archaeology. |