The Achill Field School is based in the village of Dooagh on Achill in County Mayo, and is run by Theresa McDonald. The school attracts students from many parts of the world, especially the US, and has close ties to NUIG in Galway. This year the school celebrated its 20^th anniversary with a full week programme of lectures, guided tours and workshops.

The conference theme was the Archaeology and History of Achill and the Western Islands, and subjects ranged from roundhouses (Stuart Rathbone), via artefacts (Nick Brannon pottery) to the remains of old traditions (Darina Tully on currachs). Most interestingly was a talk about the life of Captain Boycott, who resided for 17 years in Keem on Achill by historian Liam O’Raghailaigh. The newly appointed professor of archaeology in Belfast Dr. Audrey Horning was talking about the archaeology of historic households, aiming to put life into the inside of houses of which the remains still stand in Slievemore deserted village. Dr. Sharon Green was talking about perceptions of the western islands of Ireland in the early medieval period, putting values on land. By looking at situation and position, some seemingly marginal localities in fact could be quite valuable. The conference was closed by a very animated dinner in Gielty’s Restaurant.

The day after the conference the environmentalist walked to some Bronze Age roundhouses on the slopes of the Slievemore, with house 2 in perfect picture state. Stuart Rathbone, the excavator and trainer of the students, explained to location and findings. The houses lie on the 150 m contour above the deserted village on the south western slope of Slievemore, within a pre-bog field system, with magnificent views of the sea, the Minaun heights and Clare island.

It was a well organized week blessed by good weather. Congratulations to Theresa, Dolores and Stuart for making this such a success.