Research Profile

Tomás Ó Carragáin

Biography

I am an archaeologist specialising in early medieval Ireland and its European context (c. AD 400-1200). Throughout my career, I have used the rich archaeological evidence from Ireland to contribute to wider scholarly debates about the early medieval world and the interface between materiality, ritual, and memory. I have led research projects on early medieval architecture, the layout of ecclesiastical complexes, and the landscape archaeology of religion and religious change. Carved stone monuments are another long-standing interest of mine, with a substantial number of publications exploring how they were used to shape social memory, structure rituals, and define territories, work I am currently building on in the DAEICS project. 

I have secured more than a million euro in competitive research and scholarship funding and have lectured widely at leading universities in Europe, the US, and beyond, delivering keynote lectures at several international conferences. I have edited two leading journals, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature (2016-2022) and The Journal of Irish Archaeology (2007-2009). A graduate of UCC and the University of York, I am a Member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (MIAI) and was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London (FSA) in 2010 and a Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA) in 2013.
 

Prospective Research Postgraduates

I have mentored six postdoctoral fellows and supervised nine research postgraduates to completion: three MPhils and six PhDs, all but one of whom were funded by the Irish Research Council. I welcome enquiries from prospective research postgraduates (MPhil or PhD) who are interested in any aspect of early medieval archaeology; carved stone monuments; monastic and church archaeology; medieval buildings; the archaeology of ritual and religion; landscape and settlement archaeology and related subject areas.  

Research Interests

Current Projects Include:

Digital Atlas of Early Irish Carved Stone (DAEICS)
As PI of this project, I am collaborating with academics (Co-Is: Dr Patrick Gleeson, QUB; Dr Griffin Murray and John Sheehan, both UCC), postdoctoral fellows (Dr Diarmuid Ó Riain, UCC; Dr Kate Colbert, University of Galway), public and private sector partners (National Monuments Service, NI Historic Environment Division, Digital Heritage Age, Munster Archaeology) and c.20 community groups in both jurisdictions on the island. Together we will deliver a step-change in both the academic understanding and public appreciation of carved stone monuments of late prehistoric and early medieval date (c. AD 1–1200). Harnessing the results of recent in-depth research, new layers of standardised data are being added to the records of the NMS and NIHED in ArcGIS to create the atlas. This will be a powerful new tool to tackle an array of pressing research questions and a critical enabler of further targeted research. In collaboration with local communities, detailed studies of three internationally important collections, centred on Clonmacnoise, Armagh, and Iveragh, are showcasing how DAEICS can enrich our understanding of Ireland’s past and the island’s connections throughout Europe and beyond. The project is funded by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in partnership with the Heritage Council, through an IRC COALESCE INSTAR+ award.  

ECCLES: Early Christian Churches and Landscapes

Building on a 2016-2018 AHRC Network, the ECCLES project will investigate churches and landscapes before 1100 across Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and England. It is part of a pan-European project – Corpus Architecturae Religiosae Europeae (CARE) – which uses a wiki-media database platform. ECCLES will adapt that platform to reflect the particularities of the evidence from Britain and Ireland, and to meet the needs of strategic, infrastructural, and educational stakeholders. An interactive digital image created in the first phase of the project will be turned into a fully functional online public web resource, making an important contribution both to scholarship and public understanding. PI: Prof. Thomas Pickles, University of Chester. Co-Is: Prof. Sally Foster, University of Stirling, and Dr Tomás Ó Carragáin.  


Previous Projects Include:

The Making Christian Landscapes (MCL) Project

As PI of this project, I collaborated with John Sheehan (Co-PI), Prof. Sam Turner, Newcastle University, Dr Paul MacCotter, UCC, Anne Connon and several private sector partners. Harnessing exciting new evidence from pre-development excavations of burial grounds and settlements, the project combined the methods of landscape archaeology with historical research on territories and landholdings to investigate the profound, long-term impact of Christianity on the landscapes and societies of Ireland and Atlantic Europe in the Early Middle Ages. Project outputs include two PhDs (Bernadette McCarthy, Gill Boazman), several additional affiliated PhD projects, more than forty articles in peer-reviewed journals and books, numerous invited lectures and conference presentations, an international conference, a substantial edited collection (Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe, 2016, 622pp), and a major monograph (Churches in the Irish Landscape AD 400-1100, 2021, 424pp). The project was funded by the National Monuments Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in partnership with the Heritage Council through an INSTAR (Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research) Grant.  

Churches in Early Medieval Ireland: Architecture, Ritual and Memory

This project involved the first comprehensive survey of the c.180 surviving early medieval churches in Ireland, and a wider study of the 700-year-long architectural tradition to which they belong. Though greatly revered by contemporaries, and built to house treasures of the golden age of Irish art such as the Book of Kells and the Ardagh chalice, these buildings had been neglected by scholars. The project explored why they looked as they did, and what they meant in the context of early Irish society. It showed that their simplicity was not because of ignorance of architecture elsewhere in Europe, but the result of an imperative to perpetuate a sacred building form associated with the founding saints, which gave these buildings a reliquary quality. The project analysed the architectural and monumental context of early medieval rituals for the first time. It involved detailed investigation of the layout of major ecclesiastical complexes such as Clonmacnoise and Glendalough and showed that some of them were laid out to recall distant sacred topographies, especially Jerusalem and Rome. The project also identified a clear political and ideological context for the first Romanesque churches in Ireland and showed that, to a considerable extent, the Irish Romanesque represents the perpetuation of a long-established architectural tradition. Project outputs include a PhD thesis, more than twenty articles in peer-reviewed journals and books, numerous invited lectures and conference presentations, and a major monograph published by Yale University Press which was selected as an Outstanding Academic Title by Choice.    

Inishmurray: Monks and Pilgrims in an Atlantic Landscape
(Collins Press, 2008)
This was a collaboration with Jerry O’Sullivan, then of the University of Glasgow, now of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Inishmurray, Co. Sligo, is one of the best-preserved early medieval monasteries in northern Europe, with unparalleled evidence of how resident monks and visiting pilgrims moved through its island landscape. The National Monuments Service commissioned a comprehensive survey of the island and targeted excavation of several monuments being eroded into the sea. These data formed the basis for wider analysis, involving historical and anthropological as well as archaeological research, which made a significant contribution to the study of ritual and social memory. Around the end of the first millennium the monastic community built a remarkable suite of stations on the island’s perimeter that helped to establish it as an important pilgrimage destination. We showed that these monuments, and the rituals they were designed to structure, are a distinct expression of a wider phenomenon attested to at cities and important monasteries elsewhere in early medieval Europe.  

Climate and Society in Ireland from Prehistory to the Present (Royal Irish Academy, 2021)
This substantial volume explores how a long-term perspective on human adaptations to climate change can inform Ireland’s response to the crisis we face today. A themed issue of Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy (PRIA) comprising thirteen specially commissioned studies, the volume is targeted at a scholarly audience, but its key findings and conclusions have been disseminated more widely through a series of blogs and podcasts. The project was a collaboration with Prof. James Kelly, DCU, Dr Gill Plunkett, QUB, and nineteen other contributors, with the support of PRIA’s Editorial Board and the staff of the Academy’s Publications Office, and input from numerous referees.   

Publications

Books

 YearPublication
(2021)Churches in the Irish Landscape AD 400-1100.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) Churches in the Irish Landscape AD 400-1100. Cork: Cork University Press.   [Details]
(2010)Churches in Early Medieval Ireland. Architecture, Ritual and Memory.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2010) Churches in Early Medieval Ireland. Architecture, Ritual and Memory. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.   [Details]
(2008)Inishmurray. Monks and Pilgrims in an Atlantic Landscape. Survey and Excavations 1997-2000.
Jerry O' Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2008) Inishmurray. Monks and Pilgrims in an Atlantic Landscape. Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork: Collins Press. [Details]

Edited Books

 YearPublication
(2021)Climate and Society in Ireland from Prehistory to the Present
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (Ed.). (2021) Climate and Society in Ireland from Prehistory to the Present Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [DOI] [Details]
(2016)Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe. Conversion and Consolidation in the Early Middle Ages
Tomás Ó Carragáin and Sam Turner (Ed.). (2016) Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe. Conversion and Consolidation in the Early Middle Ages Cork: Cork University Press.   [Details]

Book Chapters

 YearPublication
(2023)'Landscape archaeology and religious change: in search of Palladius, Gaulish evangeliser of the Irish'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2023) 'Landscape archaeology and religious change: in search of Palladius, Gaulish evangeliser of the Irish' In: Henrion F. and Gaillard M (eds). Saint Germain, évêque d’Auxerre (418-448),1600e anniversaire, Actes des 39e Journées internationales d’archéologie mérovingienne du 4 au 6 octobre 2018. Dijon: Revue Archéologique de l’Est (Supplément de la R. A. E.). [Details]
(2022)'The Early Medieval Archaeology of Skellig Michael'
Tomás Ó Carragáin and John Sheehan (2022) 'The Early Medieval Archaeology of Skellig Michael' In: J. Crowley and J. Sheehan (eds). The Book of the Skelligs. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2022)'Wider archaeological contexts for Skellig Michael: Corcu Duibne and Insular Monasticism'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) 'Wider archaeological contexts for Skellig Michael: Corcu Duibne and Insular Monasticism' In: J. Crowley and J. Sheehan (eds). The Book of the Skelligs. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2022)'Corbelled drystone churches'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) 'Corbelled drystone churches' In: J. Crowley and J. Sheehan (eds). The Book of the Skelligs. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2021)'Altars, graves and cenotaphs: leachta as foci for ritual in early medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) 'Altars, graves and cenotaphs: leachta as foci for ritual in early medieval Ireland' In: N. Nic Ghabhann and D. O’Donovan (eds). Mapping New Territories in Art and Architectural Histories: Essays in Honour of Roger Stalley. Turnhout: Brepols. [Details]
(2020)'Land tenure and farming in early medieval Kerry: a survey of field systems in the Lough Currane basin'
Aidan Harte and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2020) 'Land tenure and farming in early medieval Kerry: a survey of field systems in the Lough Currane basin' In: M. Bric (eds). Kerry: History and Society. Dublin: Geography Publications. [Details]
(2020)'Landscapes, Myth-Making and Memory: Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2020) 'Landscapes, Myth-Making and Memory: Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland' In: Jonathan M. Wooding and Lynette Olson (eds). in Prophecy, Fate and Memory in the Early and Medieval Celtic World. Sydney: Sydney University Press. [DOI] [Details]
(2020)'Lesser Churches, Kin-groups and Communities in the Early Middle Ages: Archaeological Evidence from Corcu Duibne, Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2020) 'Lesser Churches, Kin-groups and Communities in the Early Middle Ages: Archaeological Evidence from Corcu Duibne, Ireland' In: José C. Sánchez-Pardo, Emmet H. Marron and Maria Crîngaci Țiplic (eds). Ecclesiastical Landscapes in Medieval Europe An archaeological perspective. Oxford: Archaeopress. [DOI] [Details]
(2018)'Christianizing the landscape of Mag Réta: home territory of the kings of Laígis'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'Christianizing the landscape of Mag Réta: home territory of the kings of Laígis' In: J. Lyttleton and M. Stout (eds). Church and Settlement in Ireland. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2017)'Church sites and other settlements in early medieval Ireland: densities, distributions, interactions'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) 'Church sites and other settlements in early medieval Ireland: densities, distributions, interactions' In: Transforming Landscapes of Belief in the Early Medieval Insular World and Beyond. Turnhout: Brepols. [Details]
(2016)'Making Christian Landscapes in the Early Medieval Atlantic World'
Tomás Ó Carragáin and Sam Turner (2016) 'Making Christian Landscapes in the Early Medieval Atlantic World' In: Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2016)'Buildings of Worship in Ireland, c.950-1150'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) 'Buildings of Worship in Ireland, c.950-1150' In: P.S. Barnwell (eds). Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 950-1150. Donington: Shaun Tyas. [Details]
(2016)'Conversion and Consolidation in Leinster's Royal Heartland'
Patrick Gleeson and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) 'Conversion and Consolidation in Leinster's Royal Heartland' In: Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2015)'Churches and social power in early medieval Ireland: a case study of Fir Maige'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) 'Churches and social power in early medieval Ireland: a case study of Fir Maige' In: J.C. Sánches Pardo and M. Shapland (eds). Churches and Social Power in Early Medieval Europe. Turnhout: Brepols. [Details]
(2015)'More Scottorum: buildings of worship in Ireland, c.400-950'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) 'More Scottorum: buildings of worship in Ireland, c.400-950' In: Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 300-950, Rewley House Studies in the Historic Environment, 4. Donington: Shaun Tyas. [Details]
(2015)'Relics and recluses revisited: some thoughts on Cormac's Chapel, Cashel'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2015) 'Relics and recluses revisited: some thoughts on Cormac's Chapel, Cashel' In: Clerics, Kings and Vikings: essays on medieval Ireland. Dublin: Four Courts. [Details]
(2014)'Church architecture, c.400-1200'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Church architecture, c.400-1200' In: R. Moss (eds). Art and Architecture of Ireland. Volume 1 Medieval, c.400-1600. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. [Details]
(2014)'Early ecclesiastical sites'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Early ecclesiastical sites' In: R. Moss (eds). Art and Architecture of Ireland. Volume 1 Medieval, c.400-1600. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. [Details]
(2014)'Shrine chapels'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Shrine chapels' In: R. Moss (eds). Art and Architecture of Ireland. Volume 1 Medieval, c.400-1600. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. [Details]
(2013)'A cross-carved landscape: the impact of Christianity'
T Ó Carragáin (2013) 'A cross-carved landscape: the impact of Christianity' In: Secrets of the Irish Landscape. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2011)'Singing in the rain on Hinba? Archaeology and liturgical fictions, ancient and modern: Adomnán, Vita Columbae III.17'
É. Ó Carragáin and T. Ó Carragáin; (2011) 'Singing in the rain on Hinba? Archaeology and liturgical fictions, ancient and modern: Adomnán, Vita Columbae III.17' In: Listen, O Isles, unto me: Studies in Medieval Word and Image in Honour of Jennifer O'Reilly. Cork: Cork University Press. [Details]
(2011)'Patterns of patronage: churches, round towers and the Dál Cais kings of Munster'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2011) 'Patterns of patronage: churches, round towers and the Dál Cais kings of Munster' In: Medieval Art and Architecture in Limerick and South-West Ireland. British Archaeological Association Conference Transactions Series Vol. 34. Leeds: Maney. [Details]
(2011)'Recluses, relics and corpses: interpreting St Kevin's House'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2011) 'Recluses, relics and corpses: interpreting St Kevin's House' In: Glendalough: City of God. Dublin: Four Courts. [Details]
(2011)'Cross-inscribed stones from Tateetra, Co. Louth'
Ó Carragáin, T. (2011) 'Cross-inscribed stones from Tateetra, Co. Louth' In: Settlement in Early Medieval Ireland. Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
(2010)'From family cemeteries to community cemeteries in Viking Age Ireland?'
O'Carragain, Tomas; (2010) 'From family cemeteries to community cemeteries in Viking Age Ireland?' In: Life and death in early medieval Ireland in light of recent excavations. Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
(2010)'Rebuilding the 'City of Angels': Muirchertach Ua Briain and Glendalough, c.1096-1111'
O'Carragain, Tomas; (2010) 'Rebuilding the 'City of Angels': Muirchertach Ua Briain and Glendalough, c.1096-1111' In: The Viking Age: Ireland and the West. Papers from the Proceedings of the XV Viking Congress, Cork, August 2005. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2009)'Iveragh's mountain pilgrimages'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2009) 'Iveragh's mountain pilgrimages' In: The Iveragh Peninsula. A Cultural Atlas of the Ring of Kerry. Cork: Cork University Press. [Full Text] [Details]
(2009)'The saint and the Sacred Centre: interpreting the ecclesiastical landscape of Inishmurray, Co. Sligo'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2009) 'The saint and the Sacred Centre: interpreting the ecclesiastical landscape of Inishmurray, Co. Sligo' In: The Archaeology of the Celtic Churches. The Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph No. 21. Leeds: Maney. [Details]
(2007)'Skeuomorphs and spolia. The presence of the past in Irish pre-Romanesque architecture'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2007) 'Skeuomorphs and spolia. The presence of the past in Irish pre-Romanesque architecture' In: Making and Meaning. Studies in Insular Art. Dublin: Four Courts. [Details]
(2006)'Church Buildings and Pastoral Care in Early Medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2006) 'Church Buildings and Pastoral Care in Early Medieval Ireland' In: The Parish in Medieval and Early Modern Ireland. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2003)'A Landscape Converted. Archaeology and early Church Organisation in Iveragh and Dingle, Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2003) 'A Landscape Converted. Archaeology and early Church Organisation in Iveragh and Dingle, Ireland' In: The Cross Goes North. Processes of Conversion in Northern Europe, 300-1300. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell and Brewer. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

 YearPublication
(2022)'How did early church sites differ from one another? A comparative approach within the kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland'
Rory O'Donnell and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) 'How did early church sites differ from one another? A comparative approach within the kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland'. Church Archaeology, 21 :5-31 [DOI] [Details]
(2021)'Editorial'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) 'Editorial'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, [Details]
(2020)'Constructing the history of climate and society in Ireland'
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2020) 'Constructing the history of climate and society in Ireland'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 120C :i-x [DOI] [Details]
(2019)'Editorial'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) 'Editorial'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 119C :vii-ix [DOI] [Details]
(2018)'Palladius d'Auxerre, évangélisateur de l'Irlande'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'Palladius d'Auxerre, évangélisateur de l'Irlande'. Bulletin de liaison: Association française d'archéologie mérovingienne, 42 :22-25   [Details]
(2018)'Glanworth Castle, County Cork'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'Glanworth Castle, County Cork'. The Antiquaries Journal, 175 sup. 1 :52-54 [DOI] [Details]
(2018)'The Early Medieval Monastery of Toureen Peakaun, County Tipperary'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'The Early Medieval Monastery of Toureen Peakaun, County Tipperary'. The Antiquaries Journal, 175 sup. 1 :49-52 [DOI] [Details]
(2017)'Vernacular form, monastic practice in the early Middle Ages: evidence from Toureen Peakaun'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) 'Vernacular form, monastic practice in the early Middle Ages: evidence from Toureen Peakaun'. Anglo-Saxon Studies In Archaeology and History, 20 :67-81 [Details]
(2017)'Editorial'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) 'Editorial'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 117 :i-iii [Details]
(2016)'Editorial'
Tomás Ó Carragáin and James Kelly (2016) 'Editorial'. Proceedings of The Royal Irish Academy, 116C :i-ii [DOI] [Details]
(2014)'The archaeology of ecclesiastical estates in early medieval Ireland: a case study of the kingdom of Fir Maige'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'The archaeology of ecclesiastical estates in early medieval Ireland: a case study of the kingdom of Fir Maige'. Peritia, 24-25 :266-312 [Details]
(2014)''Is there an archaeology of lay people at early Irish monasteries?' in Au seuil du cloître: la présence des laïcs (hôtelleries, bâtiment d’accueil, activités artisanales et de services) entre le Ve et le XIIe siècle, Actes des journées d’études monastique, Vézelay, juin 2013'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) ''Is there an archaeology of lay people at early Irish monasteries?' in Au seuil du cloître: la présence des laïcs (hôtelleries, bâtiment d’accueil, activités artisanales et de services) entre le Ve et le XIIe siècle, Actes des journées d’études monastique, Vézelay, juin 2013'. Bulletin du centre d’études médiévales d’Auxerre, Hors-série No. 8 [Details]
(2013)'The view from the shore: perceiving island monasteries in early medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) 'The view from the shore: perceiving island monasteries in early medieval Ireland'. Hortus Artium Medievalium, 19 :209-220 [Details]
(2011)'St Mullin's, Co. Carlow and the archaeology of early medieval baptism'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2011) 'St Mullin's, Co. Carlow and the archaeology of early medieval baptism'. Peritia, 21 [Details]
(2009)'Cemetery settlements and local churches in pre-Viking Ireland in light of comparisons with England and Wales'
O'Carragain, Tomas; (2009) 'Cemetery settlements and local churches in pre-Viking Ireland in light of comparisons with England and Wales'. Proceedings of the British Academy, 157 :239-261 [Details]
(2009)'The architectural setting of the mass in early medieval Ireland (Winner of the Martin Jope Award and the Michael Adams Prize)'
O'Carragain, Tomas; (2009) 'The architectural setting of the mass in early medieval Ireland (Winner of the Martin Jope Award and the Michael Adams Prize)'. Medieval Archaeology, 53 :119-154 [Details]
(2009)'New light on early Insular Monasteries'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2009) 'New light on early Insular Monasteries'. Antiquity, 83 (322):1182-1186 [Full Text] [Details]
(2005)'Regional Variation in Irish Pre-Romanesque Architecture'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2005) 'Regional Variation in Irish Pre-Romanesque Architecture'. Antiquaries' Journal, 85 :23-56 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2005)'Habitual masonry styles and the local organisation of church building in early medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2005) 'Habitual masonry styles and the local organisation of church building in early medieval Ireland'. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, 105C (3):99-149 [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
(2005)'The architectural setting of the cult of relics in early medieval Ireland'
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2005) 'The architectural setting of the cult of relics in early medieval Ireland'. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 133 :130-176 [Details]

Journal Volume Edited

 YearPublication
(2022)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 122C.
Tadhg Ó hAnnracháin and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 122C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited   [Details]
(2021)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 121C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 121C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2020)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 120C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2020) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 120C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2019)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 119C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 119C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2018)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 118C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 118C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2017)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 117C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 117C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2016)Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 116C.
James Kelly and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy: Archaeology, Culture, History, Literature, Vol. 116C. Dublin: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2010)The Journal of Irish Archaeology. The Journal of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. Vol. 18.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2010) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. The Journal of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. Vol. 18. Bray: Journal Volume Edited [Details]
(2009)The Journal of Irish Archaeology. The Journal of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. Vol. 17.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2009) The Journal of Irish Archaeology. The Journal of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland. Vol. 17. Bray: Journal Volume Edited [Details]

Other Journals

 YearPublication
(2014)'Brian Boru and Tuamgraney church'
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Brian Boru and Tuamgraney church' History Ireland, 22 (2) . [Details]
(2005)'A flying visit to Bishop's Island, Co. Clare'
Ó Carragáin, T., O'Sullivan, J. and Ó Caoimh, T.; (2005) 'A flying visit to Bishop's Island, Co. Clare' Archaeology Ireland, 19 :34-37. [Details]

Foreword

 YearPublication
(2015)'Foreword' in The Church in Early Medieval Ireland in the Light of Recent Excavations edited by Michael Potterton and Chris Corlett.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) 'Foreword' in The Church in Early Medieval Ireland in the Light of Recent Excavations edited by Michael Potterton and Chris Corlett. Bray: Foreword [Details]

Book Reviews

 YearPublication
(2018)'Review: Portmahomack on Tarbat Ness: changing ideologies in north-east Scotland, sixth to sixteenth century AD' The Antiquaries Journal, Vol. 98. 339-41.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'Review: Portmahomack on Tarbat Ness: changing ideologies in north-east Scotland, sixth to sixteenth century AD' The Antiquaries Journal, Vol. 98. 339-41. Book Reviews [DOI] [Details]
(2013)Review of David, H. Jenkins, Holy, Holier, Holiest: The Sacred Topography of the Early Medieval Irish Church, Studia Traditionis Theologiae: Explorations in Early and Medieval Theology 4. Tourhout: Brepols 2010 in Peritia 23 (2012; published 2013), pp. 412-416.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) Review of David, H. Jenkins, Holy, Holier, Holiest: The Sacred Topography of the Early Medieval Irish Church, Studia Traditionis Theologiae: Explorations in Early and Medieval Theology 4. Tourhout: Brepols 2010 in Peritia 23 (2012; published 2013), pp. 412-416. Turnhout: Book Reviews [Details]
(2010)Review of 'Patterns in Stonework: The Early Church in Britain and Ireland' by John F. Potter. Medieval Archaeology Volume 54.
Tomás Ó Carragain (2010) Review of 'Patterns in Stonework: The Early Church in Britain and Ireland' by John F. Potter. Medieval Archaeology Volume 54. Book Reviews [Details]
(2010)Review of 'A Contextualised Landscape Study of the Early Christian Churches of Argyll' by Megan Meredith-Lobay. Medieval Archaeology Vol. 54, 491-92.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2010) Review of 'A Contextualised Landscape Study of the Early Christian Churches of Argyll' by Megan Meredith-Lobay. Medieval Archaeology Vol. 54, 491-92. Book Reviews [Details]

Published Reports

 YearPublication
(2010)Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 2: 01 June - 04 December 2009.
O'Carragain, Tomas; Sheehan, John; (2010) Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 2: 01 June - 04 December 2009. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. [Details]
(2010)Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 3: 01 July - 06 December 2010.
Tomás Ó Carragáin; John Sheehan; (2010) Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 3: 01 July - 06 December 2010. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. [Details]
(2010)Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 1: 01 June - 05 December 2008.
O'Carragain, Tomas; Sheehan, John; (2010) Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Report for the Heritage Council on Phase 1: 01 June - 05 December 2008. The Heritage Council, Kilkenny. [Details]

Newsletter

 YearPublication
(2012)'Archaeology and History: the Value of Interdisciplinary Teamwork' Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Newsletter, Series 2, Issue 8, 6-8.
Tomás Ó Carragáin and Paul MacCotter (2012) 'Archaeology and History: the Value of Interdisciplinary Teamwork' Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Newsletter, Series 2, Issue 8, 6-8. Dublin: Newsletter [Details]
(2011)'Making Christian Landscapes in Corcu Duibne' Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement Newsletter, May 2011, 1-5.
Tomás Ó Carragáin, Paul MacCotter and John Sheehan; (2011) 'Making Christian Landscapes in Corcu Duibne' Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement Newsletter, May 2011, 1-5. Dublin: Newsletter [Details]
(2009)Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Society for Medieval Archaeology Newsletter, March 2009, 9-10.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2009) Making Christian Landscapes: Settlement, Society and Regionality in Early Medieval Ireland. Society for Medieval Archaeology Newsletter, March 2009, 9-10. Newsletter [Details]

Technical Publication

 YearPublication
(2022)Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2021.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2021. London: Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2021)Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2020.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2020. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2020)Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2019.
Christie, N., Naylor, J., Vitali, T., Gleeson, P. & Carragáin, T. (2020) Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2019. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2019)Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2018.
Christie, N., Naylor, J., Vitali, T., Gleeson, P. & Carragáin, T. (2019) Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2018. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2018)Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2017.
TIZIANA VITALI,PATRICK GLEESON & TÓMAS Ó CARRAGÁIN (2018) Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2017. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2017)Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights In 2016, Medieval Archaeology, 61:2.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson & Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights In 2016, Medieval Archaeology, 61:2. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2016)Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2015, Medieval Archaeology, 60:2.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson & Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) Medieval Britain and Ireland — Fieldwork Highlights in 2015, Medieval Archaeology, 60:2. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2015)Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2014, Medieval Archaeology, 59:1.
John Naylor, Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson & Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Medieval Britain and Ireland in 2014, Medieval Archaeology, 59:1. Technical Publication [DOI] [Details]
(2014)'Medieval Britan and Ireland – Fieldwork Highlights in 2013' in Medieval Archaeology Vol. 58.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Medieval Britan and Ireland – Fieldwork Highlights in 2013' in Medieval Archaeology Vol. 58. Leeds: Technical Publication [Details]
(2013)'Medieval Britan and Ireland – Fieldwork Highlights in 2012’ in Medieval Archaeology Vol. 57.
Tiziana Vitali, Patrick Gleeson and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) 'Medieval Britan and Ireland – Fieldwork Highlights in 2012’ in Medieval Archaeology Vol. 57. Leeds: Technical Publication [Details]
(2008)2008:1167 - Toureen, Tipperary.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2008) 2008:1167 - Toureen, Tipperary. Bray: Technical Publication   [Details]
(2007)2007:1738 - Toureen, Tipperary.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2007) 2007:1738 - Toureen, Tipperary. Bray: Technical Publication   [Details]
(2006)2006:1929 - Toureen, Tipperary.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2006) 2006:1929 - Toureen, Tipperary. Bray: Technical Publication   [Details]
(2005)2005:1469 - TOUREEN, Tipperary.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2005) 2005:1469 - TOUREEN, Tipperary. Bray: Technical Publication   [Details]

Invited Lectures

 YearPublication
(2022)Churches in the Irish Landscape, AD400-1100. Helen Roe Memorial Lecture, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 26 May 2022.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Churches in the Irish Landscape, AD400-1100. Helen Roe Memorial Lecture, Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 26 May 2022. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2022)The Temple, the Ark, and the Edicule: Recreating Jerusalem in Early Medieval Offaly, Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society Lecture, 06 May 2022.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) The Temple, the Ark, and the Edicule: Recreating Jerusalem in Early Medieval Offaly, Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society Lecture, 06 May 2022. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2019)'Royal and Monastic Islands of Early Medieval Corcu Duibne', Invited Lecture, Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, University of Glasgow, 07/01/2019.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) 'Royal and Monastic Islands of Early Medieval Corcu Duibne', Invited Lecture, Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies, University of Glasgow, 07/01/2019. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2019)'Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland: An Archaeological Perspective', Invited Lecture, Queens University Belfast, 28 March 2019.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) 'Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland: An Archaeological Perspective', Invited Lecture, Queens University Belfast, 28 March 2019. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2018)'Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland: An Archaeological Perspective', Invited Lecture Maynooth Department of Old and Middle Irish, 14 March, 2018.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 'Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland: An Archaeological Perspective', Invited Lecture Maynooth Department of Old and Middle Irish, 14 March, 2018. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2016)'What does early Irish monasticism look like? Evidence from Toureen Peakaun , Co. Tipperary' Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin, 22/09/2016.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) 'What does early Irish monasticism look like? Evidence from Toureen Peakaun , Co. Tipperary' Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin, 22/09/2016. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2014)Insular Monasticism at Toureen Peakaun, Co. Tipperary, Medieval Cashel Lecture Series.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) Insular Monasticism at Toureen Peakaun, Co. Tipperary, Medieval Cashel Lecture Series. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2014)'Insular Monasticism and Royal Patronage at Toureen Peakaun' UCD Archaeology Society Lecture Series.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) 'Insular Monasticism and Royal Patronage at Toureen Peakaun' UCD Archaeology Society Lecture Series. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2013)‘Early Irish monasteries as potential models for Annegray’ Lecture sponsored by National University of Ireland, Galway and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) at Luxeuil, Franche-Comté, 08 August 2013.
Tomás Ó Carrragáin (2013) ‘Early Irish monasteries as potential models for Annegray’ Lecture sponsored by National University of Ireland, Galway and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) at Luxeuil, Franche-Comté, 08 August 2013. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2013)‘Recalling Jerusalem, Recalling Rome: the sacred topographies of major ecclesiastical sites in early medieval Ireland’ The Cambridge Group for Irish Studies, University of Cambridge, 14 May 2013.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) ‘Recalling Jerusalem, Recalling Rome: the sacred topographies of major ecclesiastical sites in early medieval Ireland’ The Cambridge Group for Irish Studies, University of Cambridge, 14 May 2013. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2012)‘The Eucharist in Early Medieval Ireland: Archaeological & Architectural Evidence (c. AD 400-1150)’ The Eucharist in the Irish Christian Tradition Lecture Series, Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick, February 2012.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) ‘The Eucharist in Early Medieval Ireland: Archaeological & Architectural Evidence (c. AD 400-1150)’ The Eucharist in the Irish Christian Tradition Lecture Series, Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick, February 2012. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2011)‘Patterns of Patronage: Early Medieval Churches and Round Towers in the Limerick Region’ Limerick’s Built Heritage Lecture Series 2011, Limerick County Council, Adare, Co. Limerick, 01 February 2011.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) ‘Patterns of Patronage: Early Medieval Churches and Round Towers in the Limerick Region’ Limerick’s Built Heritage Lecture Series 2011, Limerick County Council, Adare, Co. Limerick, 01 February 2011. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2011)‘Recalling Jerusalem, Recalling Rome: the sacred topographies of major ecclesiastical sites in early medieval Ireland’ Department of Anthropology and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies sponsored lecture, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, 29 November 2011.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) ‘Recalling Jerusalem, Recalling Rome: the sacred topographies of major ecclesiastical sites in early medieval Ireland’ Department of Anthropology and the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies sponsored lecture, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, 29 November 2011. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2011)University of Gothenburg, Archaeology Seminar Series.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) University of Gothenburg, Archaeology Seminar Series. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2009)‘Rebuilding the City of Angels: Muirchertach Ua Briain and Glendalough, c.1096-1111’ Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Lecture, April 2009.
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2009) ‘Rebuilding the City of Angels: Muirchertach Ua Briain and Glendalough, c.1096-1111’ Cork Historical and Archaeological Society Lecture, April 2009. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2007)‘Cemetery settlements and local churches in pre-Viking Ireland.’ Newcastle University Archaeology Department, 04 October, 2007.
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2007) ‘Cemetery settlements and local churches in pre-Viking Ireland.’ Newcastle University Archaeology Department, 04 October, 2007. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2006)‘Relics or recluses? The function of the first Romanesque churches in Ireland.’ Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin, 23 November 2006.
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2006) ‘Relics or recluses? The function of the first Romanesque churches in Ireland.’ Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin, 23 November 2006. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2006)‘Relics, patronage and the origins of Romanesque architecture in Ireland.’ Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies sponsored lecture, University of California, Los Angeles, 11 May, 2006.
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2006) ‘Relics, patronage and the origins of Romanesque architecture in Ireland.’ Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies sponsored lecture, University of California, Los Angeles, 11 May, 2006. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2005)'Architecture Relics and Pilgrimage in Early Medieval Ireland’ Hunt Museum, Limerick, 27 October 2005.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2005) 'Architecture Relics and Pilgrimage in Early Medieval Ireland’ Hunt Museum, Limerick, 27 October 2005. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2005)‘Church and Laity in Early Ireland: The Archaeological Evidence from Co. Kerry’ Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society Lecture, 08 February 2005.
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2005) ‘Church and Laity in Early Ireland: The Archaeological Evidence from Co. Kerry’ Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society Lecture, 08 February 2005. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2004)'Diversity in Early Irish Architecture' Michael O'Cleirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation Seminar 27/02/2004.
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2004) 'Diversity in Early Irish Architecture' Michael O'Cleirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation Seminar 27/02/2004. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2001)'The early ecclesiastical archaeology of Co. Kerry: some new insights' Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Annual Excursion, Tralee, 16/06/2001.
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2001) 'The early ecclesiastical archaeology of Co. Kerry: some new insights' Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Annual Excursion, Tralee, 16/06/2001. Invited Lectures [Details]
(2000)'Ancient Irish Pilgrimages' Invited Lecture: The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 17/10/2000.
O'Carragain, T.; (2000) 'Ancient Irish Pilgrimages' Invited Lecture: The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 17/10/2000. Invited Lectures [Details]

Professional Activities

Honours and Awards

 YearTitleAwarding Body
2013Elected Member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA) Royal Irish Academy
2012Outstanding Academic Title: Architecture. Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries (American Association for College and Research Libraries) Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries (American Association for College and Research Libraries)
2011Research Achievement Award, College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, University College Cork
2011The Michael Adams Prize in Irish Medieval Studies, 2006-2010 (American Society of Irish Medieval Studies) American Society of Irish Medieval Studies
2010Elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London (FSA) Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London
2009The 2009 Martyn Jope Award for the for the best novel interpretation, application of analytical method or presentation of new findings in Medieval Archaeology The Society for Medieval Archaeology

Conference Contributions

 YearPublication
(2023)European Archaeological Association Annual Meeting, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 30 August - 2 September 2023,
Diarmuid Ó Riain and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2023) The Digital Atlas of Early Irish Carved Stones (DAEICS): Access, Visualisation, Interpretation. [Oral Presentation], European Archaeological Association Annual Meeting, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 30 August - 2 September 2023, Queens University Belfast , 30-AUG-23 - 02-SEP-23. [Details]
(2022)Devotional practices, pilgrimage activities and space organization in Early Medieval monasteries (5th-10th centuries),
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Reliquary and Funerary Space at Early Irish Monasteries: The Example of Clonmacnoise. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Devotional practices, pilgrimage activities and space organization in Early Medieval monasteries (5th-10th centuries), NAPLES (ITALY), MONUMENTAL COMPLEX OF SAN LORENZO MAGGIORE , 28-NOV-22 - 29-NOV-22. [Details]
(2022)Early Medieval Wales Archaeology Research Group (EMWARG) Conference, Abergavenny,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Keynote Lecture: ‘Church sites and landholdings in the pre-Viking landscape: an Irish perspective'. [Keynote Speaker], Early Medieval Wales Archaeology Research Group (EMWARG) Conference, Abergavenny, Abergavenny, Wales , 23-SEP-22. [Details]
(2022)Insular Art at the crossroads: Ninth International Insular Art Conference,
Kate Colbert and Tomás Ó Carragáin (2022) Carved Stones in a Sylvan Setting: Reconsidering St Berrihert's Kyle & Toureen Peakaun. [Oral Presentation], Insular Art at the crossroads: Ninth International Insular Art Conference, Durham University , 05-APR-22 - 07-APR-22. [Details]
(2021)Columba and Iona, University of Glasgow (AHRC-funded Conference),
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2021) Keynote Lecture: ‘From seascape to interior: monastic landscapes of Iona’s contemporaries in the Irish Midlands’. [Keynote Speaker], Columba and Iona, University of Glasgow (AHRC-funded Conference), Glasgow , 09-DEC-21. [Details]
(2019)Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement 50th Anniversary Conference, 29-31 March 2019,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) Ecclesiastical Landholding in Early Medieval Ireland: An Archaeological Perspective. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement 50th Anniversary Conference, 29-31 March 2019, City Assembly House, South William Street, Dublin , 29-MAR-19 - 31-MAR-19. [Details]
(2019)Encountering the sacred: the archaeology and heritage of pilgrimage. Archaeology Ireland Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) Pilgrimage in Early Medieval Ireland: the Journey, the Complex and the Shrine. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Encountering the sacred: the archaeology and heritage of pilgrimage. Archaeology Ireland Conference, Print Works, Dublin Castle , 05-OCT-19. [Details]
(2019)Relics in Medieval Ireland. A multidisciplinary symposium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) Altars, Tombs and Cenotaphs Leachta and the Cult of Saints in Early Medieval Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Relics in Medieval Ireland. A multidisciplinary symposium, NUI, Merrion Square, Dublin , 22-OCT-19. [Details]
(2019)Leeds Medieval Congress Session 1301: Ireland in the Age of Bede, III: Memory and Monastic Culture,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) Toureen Peakaun: An Irish Monastery in the Age of Bede. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Leeds Medieval Congress Session 1301: Ireland in the Age of Bede, III: Memory and Monastic Culture, University of Leeds , 03-JUL-19. [Details]
(2019)33nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2019,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2019) 33nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2019. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 33nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2019, University College Cork . [Details]
(2018)32nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2018,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) 32nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2018. [Conference Organising Committee Member], 32nd Irish Conference of Medievalists, UCC, 27-29 June, 2018, University College Cork . [Details]
(2018)Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference II 1st-2nd August, 2018,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2018) Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference II 1st-2nd August, 2018. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference II 1st-2nd August, 2018, Queens Park Campus University of Chester . [Details]
(2017)The Articulation of Light and Space in Churches,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) 'The Articulation of Light and Space in Early Irish Churches'. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Articulation of Light and Space in Churches, The Old Palace, Worcester Cathedral , 16-SEP-17 - 17-SEP-17. [Details]
(2017)Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference I, 2-3 August, 2017,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference I, 2-3 August, 2017. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference I, 2-3 August, 2017, Queens Park Campus University of Chester . [Details]
(2017)Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference I,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2017) ECCLES in Ireland: The Material Evidence. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Early Christian Churches and Landscapes Academic Conference I, Queens Park Campus, University of Chester , 02-AUG-17 - 03-AUG-17. [Details]
(2016)The Ninth Australian Conference of Celtic Studies, Sydney, Prophecy, Fate and Memory in the Early Medieval Celtic World,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2016) Keynote Lecture: ‘Landscapes, myth-making and memory: ecclesiastical landholding in early medieval Ireland’. [Keynote Speaker], The Ninth Australian Conference of Celtic Studies, Sydney, Prophecy, Fate and Memory in the Early Medieval Celtic World, University of Sydney , 29-SEP-16 - 29-SEP-16. [Details]
(2015)L’eredità di san Colombano. Memoria e culto attraverso il medioevo,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) L’eredità di san Colombano. Memoria e culto attraverso il medioevo. [Conference Organising Committee Member], L’eredità di san Colombano. Memoria e culto attraverso il medioevo, Bobbio, Italy , 21-NOV-15 - 22-NOV-15. [Details]
(2015)Colomban et son in fl uence. Moines et monastères du Haut Moyen Âge en Europe,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Colomban et son in fl uence. Moines et monastères du Haut Moyen Âge en Europe. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Colomban et son in fl uence. Moines et monastères du Haut Moyen Âge en Europe, Luxeuil-les-Bains, France , 16-SEP-15 - 20-SEP-15. [Details]
(2015)Identity in the world of Columbanus,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Identity in the world of Columbanus. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Identity in the world of Columbanus, Bangor Town Hall & Museum, Bangor Abbey and St Comgall’s Parish Center , 22-MAY-15 - 25-MAY-15. [Details]
(2015)Early Medieval Monasticism in the North Sea Zone,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Toureen Peakaun: Insular Monasticism and Royal Patronage in the Glen of Aherlow. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Early Medieval Monasticism in the North Sea Zone, University of Reading , 24-APR-15 - 26-NOV-14. [Details]
(2015)The Arts and Crafts Movement: Making It Irish,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Truly and Sincerely Irish’?: The Medieval Sources for the Architecture of the Honan Chapel. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Arts and Crafts Movement: Making It Irish, Boston College, Mass., USA , 20-MAR-15 - 22-MAR-15. [Details]
(2015)Church and Settlement in Ireland: Landscape, Life and Legacy,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2015) Churches, cemeteries and social power in Early Medieval Ireland: case studies from Laois and Tipperary. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Church and Settlement in Ireland: Landscape, Life and Legacy, All Hallows College, Dublin , 27-FEB-15 - 01-MAR-14. [Details]
(2014)Fir Maige – Fermoy From Gaelic kingdom to Anglo - Norman lordship,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2014) Críchad an Chaoilli and the Early Churches of Fir Máige. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Fir Maige – Fermoy From Gaelic kingdom to Anglo - Norman lordship, Community Centre, Fermoy , 02-MAY-14 - 03-MAY-14. [Details]
(2013)Converting the Isles Colloquium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) Ecclesiastical and secular settlements in early medieval Ireland: distributions, densities, interactions. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Converting the Isles Colloquium, University of Wales, Bangor , 22-MAR-13 - 24-MAR-13. [Details]
(2013)St Brendan International Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) The saints of Corcu Duibne: archaeology, history, landscapes. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], St Brendan International Conference, Tralee , 24-MAY-13 - 26-MAY-13. [Details]
(2013)Rethinking the Early Irish Church Symposium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) Rethinking the Archaeology of the Early Irish Church. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Rethinking the Early Irish Church Symposium, Dublin Institute of Advances Studies , 05-OCT-13 - 05-OCT-13. [Details]
(2013)Au seuil du cloître: la presence des laics entre le Ve et le XIIe siècle Colloque,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2013) Is there an archaeology of lay people at early monasteries in Ireland and Scotland?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Au seuil du cloître: la presence des laics entre le Ve et le XIIe siècle Colloque, Vézelay (Yonne) , 26-JUN-13 - 30-JUN-13. [Details]
(2012)Island Monasticism in Early Medieval Europe Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) The view from the shore: perceiving island monasteries in early medieval Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Island Monasticism in Early Medieval Europe Conference, Osor, Croatia , 25-MAY-12 - 27-MAY-12. [Details]
(2012)Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Chairperson], Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe, UCC , 21-SEP-12 - 23-SEP-12. [Details]
(2012)Invited Lecture, Medieval Academy of America Annual Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) The church in early medieval Ireland: changing perceptions. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Invited Lecture, Medieval Academy of America Annual Conference, Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA , 22-MAR-12 - 26-MAR-12. [Details]
(2012)Island Monasticism in Early Medieval Europe Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) Island Monasticism in Early Medieval Europe Conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Island Monasticism in Early Medieval Europe Conference, Osor, Croatia , 25-MAY-12 - 27-MAY-12. [Details]
(2012)Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) Making Christian Landscapes: A Case Study of Fir Maige, Co. Cork. [Oral Presentation], Making Christian Landscapes in Atlantic Europe, University College Cork , 21-SEP-12 - 23-SEP-12. [Details]
(2012)Ireland in a Roman World: LIARI Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2012) Conference Overview. [Invited Oral Presentation], Ireland in a Roman World: LIARI Conference, Trinity College Dublin , 20-OCT-12 - 21-OCT-12. [Details]
(2011)Re-envisioning Raith Bressail, 1111-2011,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) Architecture, Ritual and Reform around the time of Ráith Bressail. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Re-envisioning Raith Bressail, 1111-2011, UCD , 15-FEB-11 - 16-FEB-11. [Details]
(2011)Rethinking Insular Sculpture Colloquium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) Rethinking Early Medieval Sculpture in Ireland. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Rethinking Insular Sculpture Colloquium, University of Oxford , 19-MAR-11 - 20-MAR-11. [Details]
(2011)Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR) Programme Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) The Making Christian Landscapes Project. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Irish National Strategic Archaeological Research (INSTAR) Programme Conference, Helen Roe Lecture Theatre, Royal Society of Antiquaries , 21-SEP-11 - 22-SEP-11. [Details]
(2011)Buildings for Worship in Britain: Renewal and Reform, 950-1150,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2011) Civitates and pastoral centres in Ireland, c.950-1150. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Buildings for Worship in Britain: Renewal and Reform, 950-1150, University of Oxford , 07-JAN-11 - 09-JAN-11. [Details]
(2011)Space and Settlement in the Middle Ages,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) Keynote Lecture: Recalling Jerusalem, Recalling Rome: the sacred topographies of major ecclesiastical sites in early medieval Ireland. [Keynote Speaker], Space and Settlement in the Middle Ages, Trinity College Dublin , 27-MAY-11 - 29-MAY-11. [Details]
(2011)Historic Landscape Characterisation Colloquium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) Historic Landscape Characterisation: The Making Christian Landscapes Project Experience. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Historic Landscape Characterisation Colloquium, Portlaoise Civic Offices , 15-JUN-11 - 15-JUN-11. [Details]
(2011)Crisis and Recovery: Church and Society in Twelfth Century Ireland Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2011) Architecture, Ritual and Reform around the time of Ráith Bressail. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Crisis and Recovery: Church and Society in Twelfth Century Ireland Conference, UCC , 11-NOV-11 - 13-NOV-11. [Details]
(2010)Historic Settlement on the Dingle Peninsula: Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement Annual Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2010) A Cross-Carved Landscape: Early Medieval Corcu Duibne. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Historic Settlement on the Dingle Peninsula: Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement Annual Conference, Dingle , 05-JUN-10 - 06-MAY-10. [Details]
(2010)Buildings for Worship in Britain and Ireland, 400-900,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2010) More Scottorum: ecclesiastical architecture in Ireland from the 5th to the 10th century. [Invited Lectures (Workshops)], Buildings for Worship in Britain and Ireland, 400-900, University of Oxford , 08-JAN-10 - 10-JAN-10. [Details]
(2010)Early Medieval Settlements in North West Europe, AD 4001100, International Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2010) New insights on settlement patterns from the Making Christian Landscapes project. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Early Medieval Settlements in North West Europe, AD 4001100, International Conference, UCD , 26-NOV-10 - 28-NOV-10. [Details]
(2009)The Archaeology of Early Medieval Wales in Context,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2009) Making Christian Landscapes in Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The Archaeology of Early Medieval Wales in Context, Bangor, Wales , 24-APR-09 - 26-APR-09. [Details]
(2009)Mapping Death: Burials and Boundaries in Early Medieval Ireland,
Tomás Ó Carragáin and Paul MacCotter; (2009) Making Christian Landscapes: Burials and Boundaries. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Mapping Death: Burials and Boundaries in Early Medieval Ireland, Royal Society of Antiquaries, Dublin , 27-NOV-09 - 28-NOV-09. [Details]
(2009)Éigse na Brídeoige Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2009) No Monastery is an Island: The Place of Skellig Michael in the Landscape of Early Medieval Iveragh. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Éigse na Brídeoige Conference, Community Centre, The Glen, Iveragh Peninsula, Co. Kerry , 01-FEB-09 - 02-FEB-09. [Details]
(2008)The British Archaeological Association Annual Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2008) Patterns of Patronage: Pre-Romanesque Churches in the Dioceses of Limerick Killaloe and Kilfenora. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], The British Archaeological Association Annual Conference, Limerick University June , 28-JUN-08 - 02-JUL-08. [Details]
(2007)Ecclesiology Society Conference, London,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2007) From family churches to community churches in Viking Age Ireland. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Ecclesiology Society Conference, London, British Academy, London , 06-OCT-07 - 06-OCT-07. [Details]
(2007)International Anchoritic Society Colloquium,
Tomás Ó Carragáin (2007) Relics or Recluses? The Function of the First Irish Romanesque Churches. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], International Anchoritic Society Colloquium, Glenstal Abbey, Co. Limerick , 11-APR-07 - 12-APR-11. [Details]
(2005)Anglo-Saxon Irish Relations before the Vikings,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2005) Pre-Viking Ecclesiastical Sites in Ireland in light of comparisons with England and Wales. [Oral Presentation], Anglo-Saxon Irish Relations before the Vikings, British Academy, London , 12-OCT-05 - 14-OCT-05. [Details]
(2005)The XVI Viking Congress,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2005) Involved in organising this conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], The XVI Viking Congress, University College Cork , 04-AUG-05 - 08-AUG-05. [Details]
(2005)The XV Viking Congress,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2005) Dublin and Glendalough: Architecture and Politics, c. 1070-1111. [Oral Presentation], The XV Viking Congress, UCC, Cork , 05-AUG-05 - 21-AUG-05. [Details]
(2005)Making and Meaning: the fifth international conference on Insular Art,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2005) The Presence of the Past in Irish Pre-Romanesque Architecture. [Oral Presentation], Making and Meaning: the fifth international conference on Insular Art, Trinity College, Dublin , 25-AUG-05 - 28-AUG-05. [Details]
(2004)The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches, c. 400-1100,
O'Carragain, T.; (2004) Interpreting variety in Early Medieval Church Architecture. [Oral Presentation], The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches, c. 400-1100, University of Wales, Bangor , 09-SEP-04 - 12-SEP-04. [Details]
(2003)The Parish in Medieval and Post-Medieval Ireland,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2003) Church buildings and postoral care in Early Medieval Ireland. [Oral Presentation], The Parish in Medieval and Post-Medieval Ireland, Dublin , 01-MAR-03 - 30-DEC-99. [Details]
(2003)AYIA Conference,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2003) Keynote Lecture: Regional variation in Early Irish Architecture. [Keynote Speaker], AYIA Conference, UCC, Cork , 28-FEB-03 - 30-DEC-99. [Details]
(2000)Pilgrimage: Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago, Ireland. Interdisciplinary Conference,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2000) The interpretation of pilgrimage foci in South and West Co. Kerry. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Pilgrimage: Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago, Ireland. Interdisciplinary Conference, UCC, Cork , 26-JUL-00 - 29-JUL-00. [Details]
(2000)Pilgrimage: Rome, Santiago, Ireland: An interdisciplinary Conference,
Tomás Ó Carragáin; (2000) Involved in organising this conference. [Conference Organising Committee Member], Pilgrimage: Rome, Santiago, Ireland: An interdisciplinary Conference, University College Cork , 26-JUL-00 - 29-JUL-00. [Details]
(2000)The Age of Conversion in Northern Europe. International Conference,
Ó Carragáin, T.; (2000) Archaeology and early church organisation: the evidence of Iveragh and Dingle, Ireland. [Oral Presentation], The Age of Conversion in Northern Europe. International Conference, The University of York , 17-JUL-00 - 22-JUL-00. [Details]
(1998)Ecclesiastical Landscapes: Society for Church Archaeology Annual Conference,
Ó Carragáin, T. and O'Sullivan, J.; (1998) Altars and the sea: an early liturgical landscape on Inishmurray?. [Oral Presentation], Ecclesiastical Landscapes: Society for Church Archaeology Annual Conference, University of Glasgow , 01-OCT-98 - 30-DEC-99. [Details]

Professional Associations

 AssociationFunctionFrom / To
Royal Irish Academy Member01-MAY-13 /
Society of Antiquaries of London Fellow07-OCT-10 /
Institute of the Archaeologists of Ireland Member24-APR-04 /

Education

 YearInstitutionQualificationSubject
2003University College Cork PhDArchaeology
1998University of York MAMedieval Archaeology
1997University College Cork BAArchaeology and History
2004Dublin Institute of Technology CertificateGeoinformatics

Teaching Activities

Teaching Interests

I currently co-ordinate and/or teach on the following modules:
AR3053 Landscape Archaeology
AR3039 The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland
AR3030 Dissertation
AR3010 Research Project
AR2034 The Archaeology of Early Medieval and Viking Britain
AR2016 The Development of Archaeological Thought
AR2200 Archaeology of Prehistoric and Historic Ireland
AR2111 Irish Archaeology: Prehistoric, Celtic and Historic
AR1001 The Archaeology of Ireland in Context  

Recent Postgraduates

 Graduation YearStudent NameInstitutionDegree TypeThesis Title
2014Patrick Gleeson, IRC Scholar UCCPHDLandscapes of Kingship in Early Medieval Ireland, AD 400-1150
2013Gill Boazman, IRC Scholar UCCPHDTheme and Variations: Christianity and Regional Landscapes in Early Medieval Ireland
2013Bernadette McCarthy, IRC Scholar UCCPHDMonasticism and its Limits: Rematerialising Monastic Space in Early Medieval Ireland
2023Colin McGarry University College CorkMaster of PhilosophyThe Archaeology of Early Medieval Borderscapes: a case study of south-west Osraige
2018Ciarraí O'Sullivan University College CorkMaster of PhilosophyTerritory and community in early medieval Ireland : a landscape archaeology of the Túatha of the Uí Chonaill, Co. Limerick
2021Rory O'Donnell University College CorkMaster of PhilosophyGeophysics and the Study of Early Church Sites: A Comparative Approach within the Kingdom of Fir Maige, Co. Cork
2018Thomas Talbot, IRC Scholar University College CorkPHDThe Earliest Church Sites in Ireland AD 400 – 550: Landscape Archaeology and the Process of Conversion
2020Kate Colbert, IRC Scholar University College CorkPHDEarly Medieval Sculpture in Southeast Ireland: Identities, Landscape and Memory
2016Tracy Collins University College CorkPHDAn Archaeology of Female Monasticism in Medieval Ireland

Contact details

  • Tomás Ó Carragáin
    Senior Lecturer

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Department of Archaeology

Seandálaíocht

Connolly Building, Dyke Parade, University College Cork, Cork City, T12 CY82, Ireland

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