You are invited to a public lecture in our ‘Layers of Ireland’ series on Thursday May 14th, 2026 at 19.00 pm (Greece time), 17.00 pm (Ireland time), 12.00 pm (EST). Our speaker is Dr Ros Ó Maoldúin (Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland), on ‘Treasures of the Burren: Prehistoric Tombs and Ancient DNA.’
Abstract
Few landscapes in Ireland hold as many secrets as the Burren. In this talk, Dr Ó Maoldúin takes us on a vivid journey through one of Europe's most remarkable prehistoric landscapes - a vast limestone karst on Ireland's Wild Atlantic coast, where archaeological remains have survived for thousands of years.
The Burren's particular geology has earned it UNESCO Geopark status — but on its iconic limestone pavements there also lies an archaeological treasure trove of megalithic tombs and settlement traces. The same stone that shaped this landscape also preserved the bones of the people who lived on it, with profound implications for modern science. Human remains recovered here are among the best-preserved in Ireland and researchers have successfully extracted ancient DNA from these bones, opening a remarkable window onto the lives, movements,and relationships of people who lived here thousands of years ago.
Dr O Maoldúin brings this story to life through his own excavations: three Chalcolithic megalithic tombs, a barrow, and several prehistoric hut sites, all uncovered in this extraordinary landscape. Illustrated with photographs from the field, this talk offers a first-hand account of discovery at the intersection of archaeology and cutting-edge genetic science.
“Sharing Ancient Irish Heritage with the Irish Diaspora in Greece” is a series of open public lectures on Irish archaeology, taking place throughout May 2026 under the overarching theme “Layers of Ireland” with the support of the Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme.
Further information:
To attend in person, register by email: irishinstituegr@gmail.com
For online attendance, please register: https://uso6web.zoom.us/meeting/register/HZd_LLAWTxmzMZ8vD|62QA
For online attendance please register here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jASQ5mZBS0O29Sw9E2DDSw
To attend in person, please register by email: irishinstitutegr@gmail.com