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Dirk Rauschenbach

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Craggaunowen Project

 Excellent choice! The Craggaunowen Project is one of Ireland's most fascinating and unique heritage sites. It's often called "The Living Past" because it goes beyond static exhibits to actively demonstrate how people lived in ancient Ireland. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what the Craggaunowen Project is all about: Core Concept Craggaunowen is an open-air museum located on a 50-acre wooded estate in County Clare. Its mission is to recreate and showcase Ireland's life from the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period to the late 16th century. It’s an experiential archaeology project where visitors can see, touch, and understand ancient technologies and dwellings. Key Attractions and Features The Crannóg This is a faithful reconstruction of a Celtic-era artificial island settlement (circa 500 AD), built on a natural lake on the estate. Accessible by a wooden causeway, it features a circular dwelling with a thatched roof, where interpreters demonstrate daily tasks like grinding grain, weaving, and tool-making. The Ringfort (Ráth) A reconstruction of a typical defended farmstead from the Early Christian period (c. 400-1000 AD). It consists of a circular bank, ditch, and palisade enclosing a clan chief's house and souterrain (underground storage/escape passage). The Bronze Age Cooking Site A simple but effective display showing how food was prepared using fulacht fiadh (burnt mounds) – a common Bronze Age method of cooking with heated stones in a wooden trough. The "Brendan Boat" (St. Brendan's Navigational Project) This is one of the project's most famous exhibits. It houses "Brendan," the iconic leather-hulled curragh in which explorer Tim Severin sailed across the Atlantic in 1976-77. Severin's voyage aimed to test the medieval legend of St. Brendan the Navigator, who supposedly sailed to North America in the 6th century. The successful voyage proved the legend was technologically possible. The boat is displayed in a specially designed glass enclosure. The Castle The 16th-century Tower House around which the project is built. It's a fine example of a later medieval Gaelic stronghold and provides historical context for the end of the timeline the project covers. Ancient Roadways (Toghers) The estate features preserved sections of ancient bog roads—wooden trackways built across wetlands, the oldest dating back over 5,000 years. Founder & Vision The project was the brainchild of John Hunt, a noted antiquarian, art collector, and former curator of the National Museum of Ireland's antiquities. In the 1960s and 70s, he transformed the Craggaunowen estate into an experimental archaeology center. His vision was to create a place where Ireland's distant past could be physically experienced, not just read about. Visitor Experience Interactive & Educational: Costumed guides often perform demonstrations of ancient crafts like felting, bronze casting, and woodworking. Natural Setting: The woodland walks and lakeside location make it a beautiful spot to explore, blending nature and history. Appeal: It's hugely popular with families, school groups, tourists, and anyone interested in archaeology, history, or sustainable living. Practical Information Location: Near Kilmurry, County Clare, about a 20-minute drive from Limerick City or Shannon Airport. Management: The project is now managed by Shannon Heritage, which operates several key tourist sites in the region. Best Time to Visit: Open seasonally (typically April to September). Check the official website for current hours and events. Why It's Significant Craggaunowen was a pioneer in experimental archaeology in Ireland. It moved beyond glass cases and allowed people to step into reconstructions based on rigorous archaeological evidence. It makes the past tangible and asks visitors to consider the ingenuity and skills of our ancestors. In short, the Craggaunowen Project is not just a museum; it's a time machine that offers a hands-on, immersive journey through 5,000 years of Irish history and prehistory.

23.01.26 Copyright   Dirk  Rauschenbach Koelnerstrasse 293 51702 Bergneustadt  Datenschutzerklaerung   02261 9788972  Mail ccooly( at) web.de