A team of archaeologists are set for Donegal this July to uncover a site more than 2,600 years old.
The new archaeological excavations from IT Sligo and Dr Fiona Beglane will take place near Donegal Town.
Dr Beglane will be heading up an international team of students and community volunteers for the first ever excavations at the early medieval church site of Disert.
Geophysicist James Bonsall and Field School Director Dr Fiona Beglane
The aim of the three weeks of excavations is to understand the origins of the site which was reputedly founded in the sixth century by St Colmcille.
Disert is still important today as the location of a holy well, an altar and mass rock dating to Penal times and a stone arch that has a traditional cure for backache.
Dr Beglane and her team have spent the last three years undertaking work at the site including drone survey and geophysics in preparation for the excavation.
Drone survey of Disert and its surroundings
“We are very excited to be starting this excavation as it will help us to unpick the story of this fascinating place,” Dr Beglane said.
“I am delighted to be able to include community volunteers in the project so that local people can share in the process.”
The project, which is a collaboration between IT Sligo, Disert Heritage Group and California State University LA, is funded by the Institute for Field Research and Donegal County Council.