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Barra O Donnabhain

Dr Barra O'Donnabhain, who holds a PhD degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, is a bioarchaeologist who has been conducting archaeological research in Ireland and other parts of the world for over 25 years.  His publications cover a wide temporal span as well as a broad range of themes but are characterized by an integrative approach in their reconstructions of past lives.  This is exemplified by recent papers dealing with the political use of the ritualized violence of executions (2011) and the use of bone chemistry to characterise diet and identity in Viking Age Dublin (2012).  He has also challenged in print the traditional narrative of 'Celtic Ireland'.  O'Donnabhain has directed and collaborated in archaeological projects in a number of world areas.  His recent focus has been on the bioarchaeology of institutional confinement.  From 2009 to 2011, he directed excavations at a putative leper hospital in south west Ireland and in 2012 he began excavations at the19th century prison at Spike Island, near Cork.  Also in 2012, he directed the mortuary component of excavations at an Inca outpost in southern Peru in collaboration with researchers from UCLA and USC.  He is on the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles-based Institute for Field Research.  He is co-author of the 2016 volume Too Beautiful for Thieves and Pickpockets: a history of the Victorian Convict Prison on Spike Island

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Research Interests

Bioarchaeology; physical anthropology; palaeopathology; historical archaeology; the archaeology of institutional confinement; colonialism.

Research Grants

 ProjectFunding
Body		Start DateEnd DateAward
Institute for Field Research: The Spike Island Archaelogical ProjectForeign Research Institute07-JUN-1330-OCT-19€114,715.00
Trevelyan’s Corn: bone chemistry and Famine relief aid in 19th century IrelandUCC Strategic Research Fund€12,000.00
Thye Bioarchaeology of Childhood During the Great Irish Famine - experienced realities and institutional care of children in the Kilkenny Union Workhouses.Irish Research Council01-OCT-1330-SEP-15€87,490.00
Till Death Do Us Part - a Bioarchaeologiecal Investigation of Female Kinship Ties in Early Medieval Ireland.Irish Research Council01-APR-1431-MAR-15€24,000.00
Analysis of human remains, Poulnabrone portal tomb.Government Departments01-FEB-1130-SEP-17€2,839.00
Heritage Council INSTAR Programme AR01046Heritage Council21-JUN-1010-DEC-10€18,823.00
UCLA Archaeology Field ProgrammeMiscellaneous28-JUN-0931-JUL-10€59,365.00
Post-Excavation Grant for Liscahane, Co. Cork.Royal Irish Academy (RIA)01-JUL-0630-JUN-10€10,744.00
Tintern Abbey Co. WexfordGovernment Departments01-NOV-0531-JAN-07€3,310.00

Books

YearPublication
(2016)Too Beautiful for Thieves and Pickpockets: A History of the Victorian Convict Prison on Spike Island.
Cal McCarthy and Barra O'Donnabhain (2016) Too Beautiful for Thieves and Pickpockets: A History of the Victorian Convict Prison on Spike Island. Cork: Cork County Library. [CORA Link] [Details]

Edited Books

YearPublication
(2014)Archaeological Human Remains: Global Perspectives
Barra O'Donnabhain and Maria Cecilia Lozada (Ed.). (2014) Archaeological Human Remains: Global Perspectives Archaeological Human Remains: Global Perspectives. New York: Springer. [Details]
(2013)The Dead Tell Tales: essays in honor of Jane E. Buikstra
Lozada, M.C. and B. O'Donnabhain (Ed.). (2013) The Dead Tell Tales: essays in honor of Jane E. Buikstra The Dead Tell Tales: essays in honor of Jane E. Buikstra. Los Angeles: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. [Details]

Book Chapters

YearPublication
(2014)'To Be or Not To Be: Global Approaches to Ancient Human Remains'
Barra O'Donnabhain and Maria Lozada (2014) 'To Be or Not To Be: Global Approaches to Ancient Human Remains' In: Barra O'Donnabhain and Maria Cecilia Lozada (eds). Archaeological Human Remains: Global Perspectives. New York: Springer. [Details]
(2014)'Bioarchaeology'
Barra O'Donnabhain and Mara Tesorieri (2014) 'Bioarchaeology' In: Ann Lynch (eds). Poulnabrone: An Early Neolithic Portal Tomb in Ireland. Dublin: Government Publications. [Details]
(2014)'The Development of the Contextual Analysis of Human Remains in Ireland'
Barra O'Donnabhain and Eileen Murphy (2014) 'The Development of the Contextual Analysis of Human Remains in Ireland' In: Barra O'Donnabhain and Maria Cecilia Lozada (eds). Archaeological Human Remains: Global Perspectives. New York: Springer. [Details]
(2014)'The Human Remains'
Barra O'Donnabhain (2014) 'The Human Remains' In: Georgina Scally (eds). High Island (Ardoileán), Co. Galway: Excavation of an Early Medieval Monastery. Dublin: Government Publications Office. [Details]
(2013)'Immigrant and indigenous: colonial encounters in Early Historic Ireland'
O'Donnabhain, B. and B. Hallgrimsson. (2013) 'Immigrant and indigenous: colonial encounters in Early Historic Ireland' In: The Dead Tell Tales: essays in honor of Jane E. Buikstra. Los Angeles: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. [Details]
(2013)'Introduction'
Lozada, M.C. and B. O'Donnabhain (2013) 'Introduction' In: The Dead Tell Tales: essays in honor of Jane E. Buikstra. Los Angeles: Cotsen Institute of Archaeology Press. [Details]
(2012)'Human remains from Dún Aonghasa'
O'Donnabhain, B (2012) 'Human remains from Dún Aonghasa' In: The Western Stone Forts Project: excavations at Dún Aonghasa and Dún Eoghanachta, Vol 2. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details]
(2011)'Various contributions'
O'Donnabhain, B. (2011) 'Various contributions' In: Breaking Ground, Finding Graves— reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927–2006 Volumes 1 and 2. Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
(2011)'Preliminary report on a Viking warrior grave at War Memorial Park, Islandbridge'
Sikora, Maeve; O'Donnabhain, Barra; Daly, Niamh (2011) 'Preliminary report on a Viking warrior grave at War Memorial Park, Islandbridge' In: Medieval Dublin XI. Dublin: Four Courts Press. Globe icon [CORA Link] [Details]
(2011)'The social lives of severed heads: skull collection and display in medieval and early modern Ireland'
O'Donnabhain, B; (2011) 'The social lives of severed heads: skull collection and display in medieval and early modern Ireland' In: The Bioarchaeology of the Human Head: decapitation, decoration and deformation. Gainesville: University Press of Florida. [Details]
(2010)'Culture clashes? The human remains from the Wood Quay excavations'
O'Donnabhain, B; (2010) 'Culture clashes? The human remains from the Wood Quay excavations' In: The Viking Age: Ireland and the West. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2010)'The Human Remains'
O'Donnabhain, B; (2010) 'The Human Remains' In: Tintern Abbey, Co. Wexford: Cistercians and Colcloughs. Excavations 1982-2007. Dublin: Government Publications Office. [Details]
(2003)'Trepanations and pseudotrepanations: evidence of cranial surgery from prehistoric and early historic Ireland'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2003) 'Trepanations and pseudotrepanations: evidence of cranial surgery from prehistoric and early historic Ireland' In: Trepanation: History, Discovery, Theory. [Details]
(2001)'Dublin: the biological identity of the Hiberno-Norse town'
O'Donnabhain, B. and Hallgrimsson, B.; (2001) 'Dublin: the biological identity of the Hiberno-Norse town' In: Medieval Dublin II. [Details]
(2001)'A cut above: cranial surgery in Medieval Dublin'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2001) 'A cut above: cranial surgery in Medieval Dublin' In: Medieval Dublin II. [Details]
(2000)'An appalling vista? The Celts and the Archaeology of later prehistoric Ireland'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2000) 'An appalling vista? The Celts and the Archaeology of later prehistoric Ireland' In: New Agendas in Irish Prehistory: papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

YearPublication
(2013)'Dental microevolution in Portuguese Neolithic and modern samples using an alternative morphometric analysis'
Fernandes, DM; Silva, AM; O'Donnabhain, B; Pinhasi, R (2013) 'Dental microevolution in Portuguese Neolithic and modern samples using an alternative morphometric analysis'. Anthropological Science, 121 (1):25-30 Globe icon [Details]
(2012)'Migration and Viking Dublin: paleomobility and paleodiet through isotopic analyses'
Knudson, K.J., B. O'Donnabhain, C. Carver, R. Cleland and T.D. Price; (2012) 'Migration and Viking Dublin: paleomobility and paleodiet through isotopic analyses'. Journal of Archaeological Science, 39 (2):308-320 [Details]
(2005)'Why are rare traits unilaterally expressed? Trait frequency and unilateral expression for cranial nonmetric traits in humans'
Hallgrímsson, B; O'Donnabhain, B; Blom, DE; Lozada, MC; Willmore, KT; (2005) 'Why are rare traits unilaterally expressed? Trait frequency and unilateral expression for cranial nonmetric traits in humans'. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 128 (1):14-25 Globe icon [Details]
(2004)'Composition of the founding population of Iceland: biological distance and morphological variability in Early Historic Atlantic Europe'
Hallgrímsson, BenediktÓ Donnabháin, BarraWalters, G. BragiCooper, David M.L.Guðbjartsson, DaníelStefánsson, Kári; (2004) 'Composition of the founding population of Iceland: biological distance and morphological variability in Early Historic Atlantic Europe'. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 124 (3):257-274 [Details]
(1998)'Cremated human remains from Ballyglass, Co Mayo'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1998) 'Cremated human remains from Ballyglass, Co Mayo'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 98C (*):144-147 [Details]
(1998)'The human remains from a Bronze Age cemetery mound at Grange, Co Roscommon'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1998) 'The human remains from a Bronze Age cemetery mound at Grange, Co Roscommon'. Journal of Irish Archaeology, 8 (*):57-71 [Details]
(1996)'Human remains from Caherquin, Co Kerry'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1996) 'Human remains from Caherquin, Co Kerry'. Journal of The Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, 29 (*):28-30 [Details]
(1995)'Human remains from Later Bronze Age Settlement, Lough Gur, Co Limerick'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1995) 'Human remains from Later Bronze Age Settlement, Lough Gur, Co Limerick'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 95C (*):59-63 [Details]
(1990)'The status of children in a sample of Bronze Age burials containing pygmy cups'
O'Donnabhain, B. Brindley, A.L.; (1990) 'The status of children in a sample of Bronze Age burials containing pygmy cups'. Journal of Irish Archaeology, 5 (*):19-24 [Details]
(1989)'The non-dental human remains from Dunmisk fort, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone excavations 1984-1986'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1989) 'The non-dental human remains from Dunmisk fort, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone excavations 1984-1986'. Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 52 (*):44-75 [Details]
(1987)'EXCAVATION AT MOYNE-GRAVEYARD, SHRULE, CO-MAYO + IRELAND'
MANNING, C,MCCORMICK, F,MALIEPAARD, CH,ODONNABHAIN, B; (1987) 'EXCAVATION AT MOYNE-GRAVEYARD, SHRULE, CO-MAYO + IRELAND'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy Section C-Archaeology Celtic Studies History Linguistics Literature, 87 :37-70 [Details]
(1987)'The human remains from Excavations at Moyne graveyard, Shrule, Co Mayo'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1987) 'The human remains from Excavations at Moyne graveyard, Shrule, Co Mayo'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 87C (*):68-70 [Details]
(1987)'The human remains from Dromkeen East, Co Kerry'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1987) 'The human remains from Dromkeen East, Co Kerry'. Journal of The Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, 20 (*):64-72 [Details]
(1986)'ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION OF A SUCCESSION OF ENCLOSURES AT MILLOCKSTOWN, CO LOUTH'
MANNING, C,MCCORMICK, F,ODONNABHAIN, B,MONK, M; (1986) 'ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION OF A SUCCESSION OF ENCLOSURES AT MILLOCKSTOWN, CO LOUTH'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy Section C-Archaeology Celtic Studies History Linguistics Literature, 86 [Details]
(1985)'A trepanned parietal bone'
O'Donnabhain, B. O'Sullivan, V.R. Fraher, J.P.; (1985) 'A trepanned parietal bone'. Journal of Dental Research, 64 (*):727-727 [Details]
(1985)'Anatomical report on the bones from the pit burials at Newgrange, Co Meath'
O'Sullivan, V.R. Gunn, H. Monk, J. O'Donnabhain, B.; (1985) 'Anatomical report on the bones from the pit burials at Newgrange, Co Meath'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 85C (*):219-220 [Details]
(1985)'The human remains from a Bronze Age cist at Pound, Co Kerry'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1985) 'The human remains from a Bronze Age cist at Pound, Co Kerry'. Journal of The Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, 18 (*):217-221 [Details]
(1985)'The human remains from Archaeological excavations of a series of enclosures at Millockstown, Co Louth'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1985) 'The human remains from Archaeological excavations of a series of enclosures at Millockstown, Co Louth'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 86C (*):171-179 [Details]
(1985)'The human remains from Excavations at Grand Parade, Cork'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1985) 'The human remains from Excavations at Grand Parade, Cork'. Journal of The Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, 90 (*):88-89 [Details]
(0)'Human Skeletal Remains from the Souk Excavations, Beirut. Berytus Archaeological Studies. Submitted June 2005'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (0) 'Human Skeletal Remains from the Souk Excavations, Beirut. Berytus Archaeological Studies. Submitted June 2005'. * (*):*-* [Details]

Other Journals

YearPublication
(2010)'The cremation burial from Knockatreenane barrow'
O'Donnabhain, B; (2010) 'The cremation burial from Knockatreenane barrow' Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological society, 115 :162-164. [Details]
(2010)'INSTAR - The people of prehistoric Ireland, Phase 1'
Murphy, E; O'Donnabhain, B; Welsh, H; McGranaghan, C; (2010) 'INSTAR - The people of prehistoric Ireland, Phase 1' Archaeology Ireland, 24 (1) :23-25. [Details]
(2001)'aDNA and aRCHAEOLOGY'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2001) 'aDNA and aRCHAEOLOGY' Archaeology Ireland, 15 (2) :34-35. [Details]
(1998)'Decommissioning our Dead'
Buckley, L.Murphy, E.O'Donnabhain, B.; (1998) 'Decommissioning our Dead' Archaeology Ireland, 12 (*) :18-19. [Details]
(1998)'The origins of the populations of Ireland: a survey of putative immigrations in Irish prehistory and history'
Mallory, J.P. O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1998) 'The origins of the populations of Ireland: a survey of putative immigrations in Irish prehistory and history' Emania, 17 :47-81. [Details]
(1995)'Monuments of Shame: some probably trophy heads from medieval Dublin'
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1995) 'Monuments of Shame: some probably trophy heads from medieval Dublin' Archaeology Ireland, 9 (*) :12-15. [Details]
(1994)'Poulnabrone Portal Tomb'
Lynch, A.O'Donnabhain, B.; (1994) 'Poulnabrone Portal Tomb' The Other Clare, 18 (*) :5-7. [Details]
(1992)'Early cranial surgery in Ireland'
O'Donnabhain, B.Buckley, L.; (1992) 'Early cranial surgery in Ireland' Archaeology Ireland, 6 (*) :10-12. [Details]
(1979)'The Stone Fort at Cahercommaun, Co Clare'
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1979) 'The Stone Fort at Cahercommaun, Co Clare' The Other Clare, 4 (*) :8-9. [Details]

Conference Publications

YearPublication
(1999)New Agendas in Irish Prehistory
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1999) An appalling vista: the Celts and the archaeology of Later Prehistoric Ireland . In: Desmond, Angela Johnson, Gina McCarthy, Margaret Sheehan, John Twohig, Elizabeth S eds. New Agendas in Irish Prehistory University College Cork, Ireland, , 28-FEB-99 - 28-FEB-99 , pp.189-196 [Details]

Published Reports

YearPublication
(2013)Dún Aonghasa: Human Remains, skeletal inventories.
O'Donnabhain, Barra (2013) Dún Aonghasa: Human Remains, skeletal inventories. Archaeology Data Service, York. Globe icon [DOI] [Details]

Articles

YearPublication
(2002)Human Remains from Tara, Co. Meath.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2002) Human Remains from Tara, Co. Meath. Articles [Details]
(1998)The cremated remains from the pit burial, Glassamucky, Co Dublin.
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1998) The cremated remains from the pit burial, Glassamucky, Co Dublin. Articles [Details]
(1995)The human remains from Essex St West, Dublin.
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1995) The human remains from Essex St West, Dublin. Articles [Details]
(1994)The human remains from Isolde's Tower, Dublin.
O'Donnabhain, B and Cosgrave, U.; (1994) The human remains from Isolde's Tower, Dublin. Articles [Details]
(1992)The human remains from a lintel grave cemetery at Killygarvan, Co Donegal.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1992) The human remains from a lintel grave cemetery at Killygarvan, Co Donegal. Articles [Details]
(1988)Report on the bone remains from sites on the Mitchelstown-Limerick and Bruff-Mallow gas pipelines.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1988) Report on the bone remains from sites on the Mitchelstown-Limerick and Bruff-Mallow gas pipelines. Articles [Details]
(1984)A souterrain at Rhinecrew, Co Waterford.
Power, C., O'Donnabhain, B. and O'Donnell, M.; (1984) A souterrain at Rhinecrew, Co Waterford. Articles [Details]

Guest Lectures

YearPublication
(2004)Goths and Celts: imagining the past in Iceland and Ireland. Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2004) Goths and Celts: imagining the past in Iceland and Ireland. Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2004)Celts and Vikings: origin myths and national identity in Iceland and Ireland. Calgary Scandinavian Centre, Calgary, Canada.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2004) Celts and Vikings: origin myths and national identity in Iceland and Ireland. Calgary Scandinavian Centre, Calgary, Canada. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2001)Ancient DNA and the Early Historic population of Ireland.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2001) Ancient DNA and the Early Historic population of Ireland. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2001)Migration and biology: morphological variability and population change in Early Historic Ireland.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2001) Migration and biology: morphological variability and population change in Early Historic Ireland. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2000)The biological identity of Medieval Dublin.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2000) The biological identity of Medieval Dublin. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2000)Genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2000) Genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland. Guest Lectures [Details]
(2000)Poulnabrone and Poulawack: archaeology, biology and early farmers in the mid-west.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2000) Poulnabrone and Poulawack: archaeology, biology and early farmers in the mid-west. Guest Lectures [Details]
(1999)A Tale of Two Island: biological distance and morphological variability in Iceland and Ireland in the Early Historic Period.
O'Donnabhain, B. and Hallgrimsson, B.; (1999) A Tale of Two Island: biological distance and morphological variability in Iceland and Ireland in the Early Historic Period. Guest Lectures [Details]

Guest Speaker

YearPublication
(2003)Celts, Celtic and the use of genetics in Irish Archaeology. Thomond Archaeological Society, Limerick.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2003) Celts, Celtic and the use of genetics in Irish Archaeology. Thomond Archaeological Society, Limerick. Guest Speaker [Details]
(2002)Exiles and Strangers: Irish-Viking interactions in the Early Historic Period.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2002) Exiles and Strangers: Irish-Viking interactions in the Early Historic Period. Guest Speaker [Details]

Pamphlet

YearPublication
(1999)The Treatment of Human Remains: technical paper for archaeologists.
Buckley, L., Murphy, E., and O'Donnabhain, B.; (1999) The Treatment of Human Remains: technical paper for archaeologists. Pamphlet [Details]

Presented Papers

YearPublication
(2002)Community Health in Medieval Ireland. Barryscourt Lecture Series, Barryscourt Castle, Co. Cork.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2002) Community Health in Medieval Ireland. Barryscourt Lecture Series, Barryscourt Castle, Co. Cork. Presented Papers [Details]

Review Articles

YearPublication
(2002)Bones and bodies: the bioArchaeology of Medieval Ireland.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2002) Bones and bodies: the bioArchaeology of Medieval Ireland. Review Articles [Details]
(2000)Genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland. Royal Irish Academy, Genetic Anthropology Committee Seminar.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2000) Genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland. Royal Irish Academy, Genetic Anthropology Committee Seminar. Review Articles [Details]

Thesis/Dissertation

YearPublication
(2001)Immigrants and Indigenes: morphological variability and Irish-Viking interactions in the Early Historic period. PhD dissertation. Ann Arbour: Proquest/University Microfilms.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2001) Immigrants and Indigenes: morphological variability and Irish-Viking interactions in the Early Historic period. PhD dissertation. Ann Arbour: Proquest/University Microfilms. Thesis/Dissertation [Details]
(1990)Theories of mortuary practice and the emergence of formal disposal of the dead in the south-central Andes. MA, Department of Anthropology, the University of Chicago.
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1990) Theories of mortuary practice and the emergence of formal disposal of the dead in the south-central Andes. MA, Department of Anthropology, the University of Chicago. Thesis/Dissertation [Details]
(1985)The Human Remains from Tintern Abbey, Co Wexford. MA, Dept of Archaeology, UCC.
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (1985) The Human Remains from Tintern Abbey, Co Wexford. MA, Dept of Archaeology, UCC. Thesis/Dissertation [Details]

Technical Publication

YearPublication
(1988)The human remains from Killeen Cormac, Co Kildare.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (1988) The human remains from Killeen Cormac, Co Kildare. Cork: Technical Publication [Details]

Video recording / TV

YearPublication
(2001)An Miotais Ceilteach. Contributor to TG4 program.
O'Donnabhain, B.; (2001) An Miotais Ceilteach. Contributor to TG4 program. Video recording / TV [Details]

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
1987Fulbright Foundation Scholarship Fulbright Foundation
1987University of Chicago Century Fellowship The University of Chicago
2006President's PhD Scholarship in CACSSS University College Cork
1987Graduate Student Bursary University College Cork

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Society for American Archaeology Member/
American Association of Physical Anthropology Member/

Conference Contributions

YearPublication
(2016)30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Human Biology,
Jonny Geber and Barra O'Donnabhain (2016) Exposing Hidden Histories: A Bioarchaeology of Social Identity in Nineteenth-Century Ireland. [Oral Presentation], 30th Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for Human Biology, Dunedin, New Zealand , 04-DEC-16 - 08-DEC-16. [Details]
(2014)The Day of the Dead: recent research in Human Osteoarchaeology,
Barra O'Donnabhain (2014) Keynote address. [Plenary Lecture], The Day of the Dead: recent research in Human Osteoarchaeology, Queen's University Belfast , 17-OCT-14 - 19-OCT-14. [Details]
(2013)Society for American Archaeology, 78th Annual Meeting,
Barra O'Donnabhain (2013) Americans Abroad: Providing Meaningful Archaeological and Cultural Experiences in an English-Speaking Destination. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, 78th Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii , 06-APR-13 - 06-APR-13. [Details]
(2012)Society for American Archaeology, 77th Annual Meeting,
Barra O'Donnabhain and Katherine Beatty (2012) About Face: a ‘careless’ burial from Knowth, Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, 77th Annual Meeting, Memphis, Tennessee , 18-MAR-12 - 22-MAR-12. [Details]
(2008)6th World Archaeological Congress,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, W Romer and K Croucher ; (2008) Getting to the Heart of Matters: Investigating the Theory and Practice Relationship in Archaeologies of Humanity. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 6th World Archaeological Congress, Dublin, Ireland , 30-JUN-08 - 30-JUN-08. [Details]
(2008)Society for American Archaeology, 73rd Annual Meeting,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, MC Lozada; (2008) A Global Perspective on Archaeological Human Remains: convergence or diversity in approaches?. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Society for American Archaeology, 73rd Annual Meeting, Vancouver , 30-MAR-08 - 30-MAR-08. [Details]
(2008)West Waterford Museum Society,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2008) The Villains's Dire Disgrace: skull collection and display in Viking Age and Medieval Ireland. [Oral Presentation], West Waterford Museum Society, Dungarvan , 23-JAN-08 - 23-JAN-08. [Details]
(2008)Society for American Archaeology, 73rd Annual Meeting,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2008) The Development of the Contextual Analysis of Human Remains in Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, 73rd Annual Meeting, Vancouver , 30-MAR-08 - 30-MAR-08. [Details]
(2007)American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 76th Annual Meeting,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2007) Culture Clash: individuals and identity in medieval Dublin. [Oral Presentation], American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 76th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia , 29-MAR-07 - 29-MAR-07. [Details]
(2007)Institute of Irish Archaeologists Annual Conference,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2007) Archaeology and Mass Murder: the Srebrenica massacre. [Oral Presentation], Institute of Irish Archaeologists Annual Conference, Cork, Ireland , 10-MAR-07 - 10-MAR-07. [Details]
(2006)Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, MC Lozada; (2006) The Dead Tell Tales: Jane E. Buikstra and Narratives of the Past. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico , 27-APR-06 - 27-APR-06. [Details]
(2006)Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting,,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2006) Immigrant and Indigenous: colonial encounters in Early Historic Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting,, San Juan, Puerto Rico, , 27-APR-06 - 27-APR-06. [Details]
(2006)Society for American Archaeology,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2006) The Dead Tell Tales: Jane E. Buikstra and narrative of the past (Symposium organiser and Chair). [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Society for American Archaeology, San Juan, Puerto Rico , 25-APR-06 - 30-APR-06. [Details]
(2006)Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2006) Immigrant and Indigenous: colonial encounters in Early Historic Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, 71st Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico , 25-APR-06 - 30-APR-06. [Details]
(2006)Achill Field School,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2006) Celtic Ireland? Archaeology, race and the construction of a myth. [Invited Oral Presentation], Achill Field School, Achill, Co Mayo , 27-JUN-06 - 27-JUN-06. [Details]
(2005)Archaeology Ireland Conference,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2005) Food for Thought: human remains, diet and cultural change. [Oral Presentation], Archaeology Ireland Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 12-NOV-05 - 12-NOV-05. [Details]
(2005)International Commission on Missing Persons,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2005) Non-metric traits and migration in Medieval Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], International Commission on Missing Persons, Lukavac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, , 16-SEP-05 - 16-SEP-05. [Details]
(2005)European Archaeological Association,,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2005) The Villains Dire Disgrace: skull collection and display in Medieval Dublin. [Oral Presentation], European Archaeological Association,, Cork, Ireland , 10-SEP-05 - 10-SEP-05. [Details]
(2005)The Bioarchaeology of the Wood Quay Excavations,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2005) XVth International Viking Congress. [Oral Presentation], The Bioarchaeology of the Wood Quay Excavations, Cork, Ireland , 18-AUG-05 - 18-AUG-05. [Details]
(2005)Food: Culture and Identity. Annual Archaeology Ireland Conference,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2005) Food for thought: human remains, diet and cultural change. [Invited Oral Presentation], Food: Culture and Identity. Annual Archaeology Ireland Conference, University College Dublin , 12-NOV-05 - 12-NOV-05. [Details]
(2005)European Association of Archaeologists,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2005) *. [Conference Organising Committee Member], European Association of Archaeologists, University College Cork , 07-SEP-05 - 11-SEP-05. [Details]
(2005)International Viking Congress,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2005) The Bioarchaeology of the Wood Quay Excavations. [Invited Oral Presentation], International Viking Congress, University College Cork , 18-AUG-05 - 24-AUG-05. [Details]
(2005)European Association of Archaeologists,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2005) The Villain’s Dire Disgrace? Skull collection and display in Viking Age and Medieval Dublin . [Invited Oral Presentation], European Association of Archaeologists, University College Cork , 07-SEP-05 - 11-SEP-05. [Details]
(2005)European Archaeology Association,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2005) European Archaeology Association. [Conference Organising Committee Member], European Archaeology Association, Cork, Ireland , 05-OCT-05 - 11-OCT-05. [Details]
(2004)Talking Death: Narratives of Illness and Bereavement,
O'Donnabhain, Barra Glavanis, Kathy; (2004) *. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Talking Death: Narratives of Illness and Bereavement, University College Cork , 29-OCT-04 - 30-OCT-04. [Details]
(2004)Calgary Scandinavian Centre,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2004) Celts and Vikings: origin myths and national identity in Iceland and Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Calgary Scandinavian Centre, Calgary, Canada , 13-FEB-04 - 13-FEB-04. [Details]
(2004)Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2004) Goths and Celts: imagining the past in Iceland and Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary, University of Calgary , 13-FEB-04 - 13-FEB-04. [Details]
(2004)Talking to the Dead,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, K. Glavanis and G. Ó Crualaoich; (2004) Talking to the Dead. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Talking to the Dead, University College Cork , 30-OCT-04 - 31-OCT-04. [Details]
(2003)Old Waterford Society,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2003) Life and Death in Medieval Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Old Waterford Society, Waterford, Ireland , 23-OCT-03 - 23-OCT-03. [Details]
(2003)Barryscourt Lecture Series,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2003) Diet and Disease in Medieval Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Barryscourt Lecture Series, Barryscourt, Co Cork , 12-MAY-03 - 12-MAY-03. [Details]
(2002)Merriman Summer School,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2002) Exiles and Strangers: Irish and Viking interactions in the Early Historic period. [Oral Presentation], Merriman Summer School, Ennistimon , 21-AUG-02 - 21-SEP-02. [Details]
(2002)Merriman Summer School,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2002) Exiles and Strangers: Irish and Viking interactions in the Early Historic Period. [Invited Oral Presentation], Merriman Summer School, Ennistimon, Co Clare , 19-AUG-02 - 23-AUG-02. [Details]
(2001)Theoretical Archaeology Group,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, S. Milliken; (2001) Migration and colonisation in archaeology. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Theoretical Archaeology Group, University College Dublin , 13-DEC-01 - 15-DEC-01. [Details]
(2001)Death, dying and bereavement: Irish perspectives,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, K. Glavanis and G. Ó Crualaoich; (2001) Death, dying and bereavement: Irish perspectives. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Death, dying and bereavement: Irish perspectives, University College Cork , 02-NOV-01 - 04-NOV-01. [Details]
(2001)Morphological variability and the Viking migrations to Ireland,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2001) Theoretical Archaeology Group. [Oral Presentation], Morphological variability and the Viking migrations to Ireland, UCD, Dublin, ireland , 14-DEC-01 - 14-DEC-01. [Details]
(2001)Royal Irish Academy,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2001) Immigrants and Indigenes: the mDNA data. [Oral Presentation], Royal Irish Academy, Royal Irish Academy , 20-DEC-01 - 20-DEC-01. [Details]
(2001)Theoretical Archaeology Group Annual Meeting,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2001) Morphological variability and the Viking migrations to Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Theoretical Archaeology Group Annual Meeting, University College Dublin , 12-DEC-01 - 15-DEC-01. [Details]
(2000)Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2000) Poulnabrone and Poulawack: archaeology, biology and early farmers in the mid-west. [Oral Presentation], Shannon Archaeological and Historical Society, Shannon , 23-MAR-00 - 23-MAR-00. [Details]
(2000)Friends of Medieval Dublin Symposium,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2000) The biological identity of medieval Dublin. [Oral Presentation], Friends of Medieval Dublin Symposium, Trinity College Dublin , 13-MAY-00 - 13-MAY-00. [Details]
(2000)Royal Irish Academy Genetic Anthropology Committee seminar,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2000) Genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Royal Irish Academy Genetic Anthropology Committee seminar, Dublin , 08-DEC-00 - 08-DEC-00. [Details]
(2000)Centre for Irish Studies,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2000) `Other¿ Celts: Celticism and identity formation in modern Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Centre for Irish Studies, Boston College , 13-OCT-00 - 13-OCT-00. [Details]
(2000)Royal Irish Academy,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (2000) Immigrants and Indigenes: genetic diversity in the Early Historic population of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Royal Irish Academy, Royal Irish Academy , 08-DEC-00 - 08-DEC-00. [Details]
(2000)History and Geography of Irish Genes,
O'Donnabhain, Barra Hallgrimsson, Benedikt Saunders, Shelley; (2000) Genetic Diversity in the Early Historic Population of Ireland. [Invited Oral Presentation], History and Geography of Irish Genes, Royal Irish Academy, Dublin , 08-DEC-00 - 08-DEC-00. [Details]
(2000)Friends of Medieval Dublin Annual Conference,
O'Donnabhain, Barra; (2000) The Biological Identity of Medieval Dublin. [Oral Presentation], Friends of Medieval Dublin Annual Conference, Trinity College Dublin , 13-MAY-00 - 13-MAY-00. [Details]
(1999)A Tale of Two Islands: Biological Distance and Morphological Variability in Iceland and Ireland in the Early Historic Period,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1999) Research seminar at deCode Genetics. [Oral Presentation], A Tale of Two Islands: Biological Distance and Morphological Variability in Iceland and Ireland in the Early Historic Period, Reykjavík, Iceland , 05-JUL-99 - 05-JUL-99. [Details]
(1999)Conference on New Agendas in Irish Prehistory,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1999) An appalling vista: the Celts and the archaeology of Later Prehistoric Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Conference on New Agendas in Irish Prehistory, University College Cork , 28-FEB-99 - 28-FEB-99. [Details]
(1998)Cork Historical and Archaeological Society,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1998) Community health in a medieval town in Munster. [Oral Presentation], Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Cork, Ireland , 18-MAR-98 - 18-MAR-98. [Details]
(1997)Wicklow Archaeological and Historical Society,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1997) Recent excavations of an Early Bronze Age cemetery at Ballinagore, Co Wicklow. [Oral Presentation], Wicklow Archaeological and Historical Society, Arklow , 23-APR-97 - 23-MAR-97. [Details]
(1997)Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1997) Losing the head in southern Peru: headless skeletons in the Atacama. [Oral Presentation], Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group, University College Cork , 22-MAR-97 - 22-MAR-97. [Details]
(1997)Royal Irish Academy,
Barra Ó Donnabháin, J. Mallory; (1997) The evidence from Archaeology. The Genetic History and Geography of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Royal Irish Academy, Royal Irish Academy , 31-OCT-97 - 31-OCT-97. [Details]
(1996)Department of History, University of Limerick,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1996) Anthropological approaches to history and local studies. [Oral Presentation], Department of History, University of Limerick, University of Limerick , 23-OCT-96 - 23-OCT-96. [Details]
(1996)Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1996) Variations in morbidity among urban and rural populations in Medieval Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group, Queen¿s University Belfast , 24-FEB-96 - 24-FEB-96. [Details]
(1994)Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1994) Activity-induced pathology in a medieval population. [Oral Presentation], Human and Animal Remains Discussion Group, University College Dublin , 01-OCT-94 - 01-OCT-94. [Details]
(1992)Midwest Conference on Andean and Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory,,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1992) The removal of skulls from an Early Ceramic cemetery on the south coast of Peru. [Oral Presentation], Midwest Conference on Andean and Amazonian Archaeology and Ethnohistory,, Urbana-Champaign , 01-MAR-92 - 01-MAR-92. [Details]
(1991)Society for American Archaeology,
Barra Ó Donnabháin; (1991) Recent excavations of an Early Ceramic cemetery at Wawakiki, Ilo, Peru. [Oral Presentation], Society for American Archaeology, New Orleans , 28-APR-91 - 28-APR-91. [Details]
(2007)Culture clash: individuals and identity in medieval Dublin,
O'Donnabhain, B (2007) American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 76th Annual Meeting. [Poster Presentation], Culture clash: individuals and identity in medieval Dublin, Philadelphia, 29 March 2007 . [Details]

Committees

 CommitteeFunctionFrom / To
Board of Directors, Institute for Field Archaeology Board Member2011 /
Research Committee, College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences Member2011 /
Conference: Death, dying and bereavement: Irish perspectives. University College Cork Organiser with K. Glavanis and G. O'Crualaoich2001 / 2001
Conference: Migration and colonisation in archaeology. Theoretical Archaeology Group, University College Dublin Organiser with S. Milliken.2001 / 2001
Conference: Dialogues with the dead. University College Cork. Organiser, with K. Glavanis and G. O'Crualaoich.2004 / 1899
European Archaeological Association, 11th Annual Meeting, Cork: Organising Committee Member2005 / 1899
Reviewing panel for International Journal of Osteoarchaeology Member2002 / 1899
Overseas Students' Committee, Faculty of Arts Member1997 / 2000
Overseas Students' Committee, Arts Faculty Member1998 / 2001

Employment

 EmployerPositionFrom / To
University College Cork College Lecturer01-JUL-96 / 01-JAN-10
NUI Maynooth Temporary Lecturer01-JAN-93 / 01-JAN-96
University College Dublin Occasional Lecturer01-JAN-95 / 31-DEC-95
Dúchas, the Heritage Service Contract Archaeologist01-JAN-92 / 01-JAN-96

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
1981University College Cork BAArchaeology and History
1985University College Cork MAArchaeology
1990University of Chicago MAAnthropology
2001University of Chicago PhDAnthropology

Languages

 LanguageReadingWritingSpeaking
French FunctionalFunctionalFunctional
Irish FunctionalFunctionalFunctional
Spanish FunctionalBasicBasic

Teaching Interests

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2014Mara Tesorieri University College CorkPHDHealth in the Medieval World: Regionality and the Bioarchaeology of Ireland and Britain
2015Katherine Beatty NUI (UCC)PHDSkin and Bone: the face in the archaeological imagination
2014Linda Lynch UCCPHDAn Assessment of Health in Post-medieval Ireland: ‘One Vast Lazar House Filled with Famine, Disease and Death’
2012Clare Mullins University College CorkPHDBodies of Belief: ideas, materiality and the body as a site of social meaning

Modules Taught

 Term (ID))TitleLinkSubject
2018Human Remains for Archaeologists AR2038Human Remains for Archaeologists
2018Health, Diet and Disease in Early Societies AR3040Health, Diet and Disease in Early Societies

External Collaborators

 NameOrganisation / InstituteCountry
Dr Julia Beamont University of BradfordENGLAND
Dr Jonny Geber University of OtagoNEW ZEALAND
Dr Maria Lozada The University of ChicagoU.S.A.
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