Michael Gibbons is at it again. The energetic archaeologist, walker, and heritage consultant, who intends to climb all 13 peaks in the Twelve Pin range next weekend, has recently uncovered new evidence relating to the Connemara and Mayo landscapes.
A Bronze Age tomb and series of prehistoric house sites at Killadoon hill below Mweelrea in Co Mayo; some 16th century Spanish pottery from Finish island off Carna; and a spearhead dating back 7,000 years, which indicates evidence of a mesolithic hunter-gatherer presence in west Connemara - these are just some of the discoveries recorded by Mr Gibbons and his colleague, Jim Higgins, over the past six months.
They have also come across a small stone row at the head of the beautiful Crumlin river valley in the heart of Joyce country, which is one of eight such sites in Connemara; and an Iron Age fort and standing stone located in a spectacular panoramic setting at the northern end of the Maamturk mountains. The stone fort is one of a group running along an ancient route through Connemara - or Conmaicne Mara, as the tribe which gave its name to the territory called itself.
The Spanish pottery from Finish is a "most unusual discovery on an extraordinary island", Mr Gibbons says. "It raises all sorts of questions as to how it got there. Perhaps trade-raiding booty from the Spanish Armada wreck on Mace Head?" As for the spear-head, this was found in topsoil by a local man, Mr Jarlath Hession, who recognised it as a piece of worked flint - a rare commodity in the region. The townland where it was unearthed is the richest in terms of its historical and archaeological links in Co Galway, Mr Gibbons notes.
The finds suggest far greater inland settlement in the area than previously thought, according to Mr Gibbons, who, along with cartographer and writer Tim Robinson, and NUI Galway archaeologist Paul Gosling have contributed to a significant reevaluation of the western seaboard. Up until recently the absence of signs of medieval settlement in the west fed the assumption that the generally infertile landscape did not support much of a population of any density until the 17th century English plantations drove dispossessed Irish to the coastal fringe.
Mr Gibbons now makes a living out of heritage and walking tours, based in Island House in Market Street, Clifden. However, for the past couple of months he has also been in training for his second "Twelve Pins challenge", when he and other walkers will climb all 13 peaks. The event is being held on Sunday to raise funds for the parents of Laura Lydon (2 1/2), from Clifden, who recently had a heart transplant in London but passed away shortly afterwards. Funds will also be given to the local Mentally Handicapped Association. Further details on the challenge - for the fighting fit - can be obtained from Island House at (095) 21379.
Walkers will also be interested in a new rambler's guide and map to Corrib Country, published earlier this month by TirEolas, of Kinvara. With text written by Cilian Roden and illustrations by Anne Korff, it claims to be the first such guide and map to the Corrib region. 5.95 £5.95 or direct from TirEolas at phone/fax (091)637452. Also, yesterday's Conamara Fun Run over five kilometres from Tullycross to Letterfrack marked the opening of the annual Conamara Bog Week run by the teacher and environmentalist, Leo Hallissey. A full programme of events during the week in the Quaker village of Letterfrack winds up with an annual Conamara walkabout next Saturday lasting three days.
This exploration will be led by Erin Gibbons, sister of Michael and also an archaeologist, Gordon Darcy, the author of the classic Birds of Ireland and Galway-based poet Moya Cannon. The weekend starts at 10 a.m. in Letterfrack National School.
