Revisiting the 1930 Sheebeg Excavation

Join Peter Halligan (Independent Researcher) and Niamh Daly (Osteoarchaeologist) for an illustrated talk as part of Heritage Week that will cover the key events and characters involved in the unlicensed excavation of the Sheebeg passage tomb, near Keshcarrigan, Co. Leitrim, in 1930. The excavation uncovered a number of human bones, including two human mandibles, which were delivered to the Keeper of the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) at the time.

In 2024, over 90 years later, the human remains were formally analysed in collaboration with the NMI. As human remains from passage tombs in Co. Leitrim have never been scientifically dated, this will be the first time to discover the individual life histories of those interred in Sheebeg passage tomb and what this data offers us in terms of the wider landscape of passage tombs in Ireland.

The illustrated talk (2-3pm) will be followed by a Guided tour from 3.15-5pm of the Sheebeg passage tomb led by Sam Moore from the Atlantic Technological University in Sligo.

Please note that the Sheebeg cairn is located on private land and is only accessible with the owner’s permission.

Photo Credit: Gerry Faughnan Photography