"The New Medieval Lough Key: Twenty Years of Field Work" Tom Finan

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Join archaeologist and historian Thomas Finan for a fascinating exploration of two decades of archaeological research around Lough Key, work that is transforming our understanding of medieval Gaelic Ireland.

Drawing on excavations at The Rock, completed in 2023, alongside major discoveries at Kilteasheen in Knockvicar and the Rockingham Moated Site, Finan will share the remarkable findings that have emerged from these important sites. Together, they offer an unprecedented insight into the social, political and cultural world of medieval Ireland.

With significant conservation work soon to begin on The Rock, and publication of the research now on the horizon, this talk offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about discoveries that continue to reshape the story of the region and its past.

This engaging presentation will also look ahead to upcoming publications and the next phase of bringing this extraordinary research to a wider audience.

Thomas Finan, PhD, FSA, is Associate Professor of History and Archaeology at Saint Louis University. His research focuses on the Gaelic landscapes of north Roscommon, particularly the medieval lordship of Moylurg around Lough Key.

Thomas first began survey work in the region in 2002, followed by his first formal archaeological survey in 2004 at the ecclesiastical site of Kilteasheen. Since then, he has carried out extensive research across the area, leading major excavations at Kilteasheen, the Rockingham Moated Site, and the Rock of Lough Key.

Through his fieldwork and publications, Thomas has made a significant contribution to the understanding of medieval life around Lough Key, publishing three books along with numerous articles on the history and archaeology of the region.