A Strategic Archaeological Research Framework for the island of Ireland is currently being led by The Discovery Programme: Centre for Archaeology and Innovation Ireland. In early 2022, The Discovery Programme conducted the first in a series of ‘pulse’ surveys to gauge wider opinion and insights into archaeological research across the island of Ireland. The results of this short survey have been used to build a clearer picture about key issues around archaeological research, and initial results show a high level of support for the development of a strategic archaeological research framework (95%) and interest in being involved in a research framework (86%).
More information on the Strategic Archaeological Research Framework for Ireland is available here: The Discovery Programme
An artist reconstruction of Tamnyrankin court tomb, Co. Derry/Londonderry, showing a community gathering and funerary rites.
Key People
Working Group Co-Chairs: Dr John O'Keeffe and Dr Eimear Meegan
John was appointed Chief Executive Officer for The Discovery Programme in 2020. Prior to this John worked for over 22 years with the Department of the Environment and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, and from 2007-2020 he was an Assistant Director/Principal Inspector of Historic Monuments with Historic Environment Division. John has a keen interest in conservation standards, professional practice, applications of new technologies and applied archaeological research, and public engagement. He has lectured widely, especially in adult education, about archaeology and local history, and serves on many working groups and committees as an expert contributor on matters of policy, practice, academic development and public participation in the historic environment. He is currently a member of the Standing Committee for Archaeology at the Royal Irish Academy, and an active contributor to the work of the European Archaeology Council.
John is a Chartered Construction Manager through the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), a Member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI) and Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA). John sits on the Project Board as co-chair of the Research Framework Working Group.
Eimear took up the role of Lead Project Officer for the Frameworks for Archaeology (FAR) project at the Discovery Programme in 2023. Prior to this, she worked in further and higher education as well as in the development-led sector. She completed her PhD in 2017 in University College Dublin’s School of Archaeology and has spent the years following her doctoral research exploring how the potential of digital technologies can be harnessed in the documentation, analysis, interpretation and management of cultural heritage. Eimear sits on the Project Board as co-chair of the the Research Framework Working Group.
