Our Team

Mr. Joseph Fenwick

BA, MA

Contact Details

Senior Technician
Dept. of Archaeology
Room 206
Arts Science Building
University of Galway
T: Ext. 3100
E: joe.fenwick@universityofgalway.ie

Biography

Joe Fenwick is the Archaeological Field Officer (Senior Technical Officer) in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, University of Galway. He received a BA degree in Archaeology/Greek & Roman Civilization from UCD in 1991 and an MA degree in Archaeology from UCG (NUI Galway/University of Galway) in 1997, the title of his thesis being 'A study of Rathra: a multivallate enclosure in Co. Roscommon'.

Prior to joining the Department of Archaeology, University of Galway, firstly as a research and teaching assistant and currently as its Archaeological Field Officer, Joe contributed to a number of major research projects including Knowth Excavations (UCD), The Tara Survey (The Discovery Programme) and the ArchaeoGeophysical Imaging Project (NUI Galway/University of Galway). He also worked for a number of years in the commercial sector, trading under the name 'ArchaeoLogical'. As Archaeological Field Officer (Senior Technical Officer) he specializes in the area of field research, scientific survey techniques and GIS with a particular interest in the Late Prehistoric 'royal' sites of Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon and Tara, Co. Meath, in addition to the prehistoric and medieval landscapes of the Br ú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site, Co. Meath. He is currently engaged in experimental archaeological research on the subject of 'Crafting the Knowth macehead'.

Joe is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI), the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society (MAHS) and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (RSAI), serving as its Vice President for Connacht in 2022-23.

Joe was appointed Company Member of the Discovery Programme in 2023. He is also member of the Operational Advisory Group to the Farming Rathcroghan Project: sustainable farming in the Rathcroghan archaeological landscape. Formerly a European Innovation Project (EIP-AGRI) funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Farming Rathcroghan is currently funded through the Just Transition Fund until the end of March 2026.

Research Interests

Crafting the Knowth Macehead

The 'Crafting the Knowth Macehead' is exploring several strands of experimental archaeological research. It seeks to `reverse-engineer¿ the specialist technology, methodology and innovative ingenuity that was required to craft the Knowth maesmor-type macehead, a singularly assured masterpiece of Neolithic craft and artistry.

The Brú na Bóinne Research Project

This research is being undertaken is part of an on-going collaborative research initiative designed specifically to address the nature and function of selected monuments within the broader landscape of the Brugh na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site through the exclusive use of non-invasive survey techniques. The project also serves as a vehicle for the instruction of postgraduate students of archaeology, undertaking studies at the National University of Ireland, Galway, in the use and application of scientific survey techniques and associated software. Much of the results of these field investigations to date has been published in various journals.

The Connacht Project
Joe Fenwick is also a contributor to The Connacht Project, a joint research initiative by An tOllamh Máirín Ní Dhonnchadha, School of Humanities with Professor John Waddell and Dr Kieran O'Conor, Archaeology, School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies. His principal research interest as part of this project concerns the Late Prehistoric 'royal' site of Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon, on which he has published extensively.

Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2020)	'Rathcroghan revisited: A renewed archaeological and geophysical exploration of selected areas of the focal ritual complex' Fenwick, J., Daly, E. & Rooney, S. (2020) 'Rathcroghan revisited: A renewed archaeological and geophysical exploration of selected areas of the focal ritual complex'. Emania, 25 :81-98 [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2018)	'The Late Prehistoric 'Royal Site' of Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon: An Enduring Paradigm of Enclosed Sacred Space' Joe Fenwick (2018) 'The Late Prehistoric 'Royal Site' of Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon: An Enduring Paradigm of Enclosed Sacred Space'. Emania, 24 :35-51 [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2017)	'A reappraisal of the archaeological remains in the vicinity of the great passage tomb and manorial village of Dowth, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath' Joseph P. Fenwick (2017) 'A reappraisal of the archaeological remains in the vicinity of the great passage tomb and manorial village of Dowth, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, XXVI :143-166 [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2016)	'Geophysical Survey at Rathcroghan 2010–2012' John Waddell, Roseanne Schot, Joe Fenwick (2016) 'Geophysical Survey at Rathcroghan 2010–2012'. Emania, 23 :51-59 [Details]
	(2015)	'A reassembly of the monumental fragments in Dowth townland and their significance as an integral part of the prehistoric numinous precinct of Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath' Joseph P. Fenwick (2015) 'A reassembly of the monumental fragments in Dowth townland and their significance as an integral part of the prehistoric numinous precinct of Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath'. The Journal Of Irish Archaeology, XXIV :19-49 [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2005)	'Geophysical investigations at the Ancient Royal Site of Rathcroghan, County Roscommon, Ireland' Barton, K.; Fenwick, J (2005) 'Geophysical investigations at the Ancient Royal Site of Rathcroghan, County Roscommon, Ireland'. Archaeological Prospection, 12 :3-18 [DOI] [Details]
	(1995)	'The manufacture of a decorated macehead from Knowth, county Meath' Fenwick, J. (1995) 'The manufacture of a decorated macehead from Knowth, county Meath'. Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. Journal, 125 :51-60 [ARAN Link] [Details]

Books

	Year	Publication
	(2021)	Rathra: a royal stronghold of early medieval Connacht. Joe Fenwick (2021) Rathra: a royal stronghold of early medieval Connacht. Roscommon: Roscommon County Council. [Details]
	(2009)	Rathcroghan: An archaeological and Geophysical Survey in a Ritual Landscape (with J. Fenwick and K. Barton). Wordwell, Bray. Waddell, J., Fenwick, J., Barton, K. (2009) Rathcroghan: An archaeological and Geophysical Survey in a Ritual Landscape (with J. Fenwick and K. Barton). Wordwell, Bray. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details]

Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2018)	'A horrid-nice day at Knowth' Fenwick, J. (2018) 'A horrid-nice day at Knowth' In: Lost and Found III: rediscovering more of Ireland's past. :151-164 Dublin: Wordwell Ltd. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2018)	'A comparative archaeologial review of the late prehistoric 'royal site' of Rathcroghan' Joseph P. Fenwick (2018) 'A comparative archaeologial review of the late prehistoric 'royal site' of Rathcroghan' In: Roscommon: History and Society. :63-86 Dublin: Geography Publications. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2012)	'(Appendix 8) Geophysical survey of Knowth Area 11' Fenwick, J. (2012) '(Appendix 8) Geophysical survey of Knowth Area 11' In: 'Excavations at Knowth in the first and second millennium AD' by G. Eogan. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2010)	'Three essays: 'The Hyperborean harpists of Hibernia', 'To the ends of the Earth' & 'Worse things happen at sea'' Fenwick, J. (2010) 'Three essays: 'The Hyperborean harpists of Hibernia', 'To the ends of the Earth' & 'Worse things happen at sea'' In: 'A Grand Gallimaufry: collected in honour of Nick Maxwell Wordwell' edited by M. Davies, U MacConville & G. Cooney. Dublin: Wordwell. [Details]
	(2009)	'Rathcroghan mound and other endangered species' Fenwick, J. (2009) 'Rathcroghan mound and other endangered species' In: Lost and Found II: rediscovering Irelands past. :205-222 Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
	(2008)	'Contributions to Section 2 (geophysical description and interpretation) 'Study Area 1 - Limerick/Tipperary Plains' (2.3 Possible Bronze Age Enclosures; 2.4 Detailed survey of the Chancellorsland complex)' Doody, M,, Fenwick, J. & Masterson, B. (2008) 'Contributions to Section 2 (geophysical description and interpretation) 'Study Area 1 - Limerick/Tipperary Plains' (2.3 Possible Bronze Age Enclosures; 2.4 Detailed survey of the Chancellorsland complex)' In: 'The Ballyhours Hills Project' by Martin Doody, Discovery Programme Monograph No. 7. :105-166 Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
	(2003)	'Tales from the Hill of Tara: the ghost of monuments past' Fenwick, J. (2003) 'Tales from the Hill of Tara: the ghost of monuments past' In: Lost and Found: discovering Ireland's past. :89-100 Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
	(2002)	'Geomagnetic Survey on the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath, 1998-9' Fenwick, J. & Newman, C. (2002) 'Geomagnetic Survey on the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath, 1998-9' In: Discovery Programme Reports 6. :1-18 Dublin: The Discovery Programme / Royal Irish Academy. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(1997)	'Geology, Soils and Drainage (Chapter 2): History of the Landscape (Chapter 3, with C. Newman)' Newman, C. (1997) 'Geology, Soils and Drainage (Chapter 2): History of the Landscape (Chapter 3, with C. Newman)' In: Tara: an archaeological survey. Dublin: The Discovery Programme / Royal Irish Academy. [Details]

Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
	(2004)	*Making the connection to the Past CAA 99: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Proceedings of the 27th Conference* Fenwick, J. (2004) An Integrated Approach to Archaeological Survey Design, Methodology and Data Management . In: Fennema, K.; Kamermans, H eds. Making the connection to the Past CAA 99: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology Proceedings of the 27th Conference Dublin, Leiden University, , pp.89-95 [ARAN Link] [Details]

Published Reports

	Year	Publication
	(2002)	'A summary report on the results of the geophysical survey conducted on the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath - Summer 2002' in The Discovery Progamme 2002 Annual Report. Fenwick, J. & Newman, C. (2002) 'A summary report on the results of the geophysical survey conducted on the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath - Summer 2002' in The Discovery Progamme 2002 Annual Report. The Discovery Programme, Dublin. [Details]

Edited Books

	Year	Publication
	(2018)	Lost and Found III: rediscovering more of Ireland's past. Fenwick, Joe (Ed.). (2018) Lost and Found III: rediscovering more of Ireland's past Lost and Found III: rediscovering more of Ireland's past. Dublin: Wordwell Ltd. [Details]
	(2009)	Lost and Found II: rediscovering Ireland's past. Fenwick, Joe (Ed.). (2009) Lost and Found II: rediscovering Ireland's past Lost and Found II: rediscovering Ireland's past. Bray: Wordwell. [Details]
	(2003)	Lost and Found: discovering Ireland's past. Fenwick, Joe (Ed.). (2003) Lost and Found: discovering Ireland's past Lost and Found: discovering Ireland's past. Bray: Wordwell. [Details]

Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2022)	'Stranger things at Castlestrange' Joe Fenwick (2022) 'Stranger things at Castlestrange' Archaeology Ireland, 36(3) (141) :30-35. [Details]
	(2020)	'Under the radar at Rathcroghan' Fenwick, J., Daly, E. & Rooney, S. (2020) 'Under the radar at Rathcroghan' Archaeology Ireland, 34 (4) (134) :48-52. [Details]
	(2019)	'Ring(s) of truth: responses regarding curious ring-marks at Dowth' Joe Fenwick (2019) 'Ring(s) of truth: responses regarding curious ring-marks at Dowth' Archaeology Ireland, 33(3) (129) :42-42. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2019)	'Ever Increasing Circles: evidence for possible ring-barrows at Dowth in the Boyne Valley' Joe Fenwick (2019) 'Ever Increasing Circles: evidence for possible ring-barrows at Dowth in the Boyne Valley' Archaeology Ireland, 33:2 (128) :19-22. [Details]
	(2019)	'In search of the lost 'cromlech' of Knowth: Geophysial investigations in Area 10 of the Knowth Passage Tomb cemetery, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath' Fenwick, J. (2019) 'In search of the lost 'cromlech' of Knowth: Geophysial investigations in Area 10 of the Knowth Passage Tomb cemetery, Brú na Bóinne, Co. Meath' Ríocht na Midhe, 30 :52-78. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2017)	'Neue forschungen am königssitz von Tara' Beusing, R., Fenwick, J., Rassmann, K. and Schot, R. (2017) 'Neue forschungen am königssitz von Tara' Archäologie in Deutschland, 3/2017 :58-59. [Details]
	(2016)	'Landschaftsarchäologische forschungen am königssitz von Tara' Beusing, R., Rassmann, K., Fenwick, J. and Schot, R. (2016) 'Landschaftsarchäologische forschungen am königssitz von Tara' e-Forschungsberichte des Deutschen Archäologischen Institut, 3 :69-73. [Details]
	(2016)	'A renewed programme of discovery at Tara' Schot, R., Fenwick, J., Beusing, R. & Rassmann, K. (2016) 'A renewed programme of discovery at Tara' Archaeology Ireland, 30(1) (115) :18-21. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2013)	'The landscape features, follies and antiquities of Dowth demesne' Fenwick, J. (2013) 'The landscape features, follies and antiquities of Dowth demesne' Archaeology Ireland, 27 (1) :26-30. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2012)	'Crewbane souterrain and nearby archaeologial features, Brugh na Boinne, Slane, Co. Meath' Fenwick, J., Dowling, G. & Schot, R. (2012) 'Crewbane souterrain and nearby archaeologial features, Brugh na Boinne, Slane, Co. Meath' Riocht na Midhe, XXII :1-25. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2009)	'Revealing hidden details of the ancient landscape at Newgrange, Brugh na Boinne World Heriatge Site, Co. Meath' Fenwick, J., Warner, R. & Eogan, G. (2009) 'Revealing hidden details of the ancient landscape at Newgrange, Brugh na Boinne World Heriatge Site, Co. Meath' Riocht na Midhe, XX :5-23. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2008)	'Driving through history' Fenwick, J. (2008) 'Driving through history' Roads Ireland, 5 :14-17. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2008)	'More than meets the eye' Fenwick, J., Corns, A. & Shaw, R. (2008) 'More than meets the eye' Archaeology Ireland, 22(3) :24-38. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2006)	'The innermost secrets of Rathcroghan Mound' Fenwick, J., Geraghty, L., Waddell, J. & Barton, K. (2006) 'The innermost secrets of Rathcroghan Mound' Archaeology Ireland, 20(2) :26-9. [Details]
	(2005)	'The geophysial survey of the M3 toll-motorway corridor: a prelude to Tara's destruciton?' Fenwick, J. (2005) 'The geophysial survey of the M3 toll-motorway corridor: a prelude to Tara's destruciton?' Riocht na Midhe, XVI :8-22. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(1999)	'The magnetic presence of queen Medb: magnetic gradiometry at Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon' Fenwick, J., Brennan, Y. & Barton, K. (1999) 'The magnetic presence of queen Medb: magnetic gradiometry at Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon' Archaeology Ireland, 13(1) :8-11. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(1997)	''Oweynagat', Rathcroghan, Co, Roscommon, and associated karst features' Fenwick, J. & Parkes, M. (1997) ''Oweynagat', Rathcroghan, Co, Roscommon, and associated karst features' Irish Speleology: the journal of Irish caving, 16 :9-15. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(1997)	'A panoramic view from the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath' Fenwick, J. (1997) 'A panoramic view from the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath' Riocht na Midhe, 9(3) :1-11. [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(1996)	'The anatomy of a mound: geophysial images of Rathcroghan mound' Fenwick, J., Brennan, Y. & Delaney, F. (1996) 'The anatomy of a mound: geophysial images of Rathcroghan mound' Archaeology Ireland, 10(3) :20-23. [Details]
	(1996)	'Cross slab - Hill of Skreen' Fenwick, J. (1996) 'Cross slab - Hill of Skreen' Riocht na Midhe, . [Details]

Abstract

	Year	Publication
	(2001)	Appendix 1: Topographical and gradiometry surveys at Coggins' Hill, Kilrusheighter. Fenwick, J. (2001) Appendix 1: Topographical and gradiometry surveys at Coggins' Hill, Kilrusheighter. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy Abstract [Details]
	(2014)	Appendix 1: The magnetometer survey. In 'Excavations at an early 17th centruy glassmaking site at Glasshouse, Shinrone, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Fenwick, J. Contributing to: J.Farrelly, C. O'Brien, S. Paynter & H. Willmott (2014) Appendix 1: The magnetometer survey. In 'Excavations at an early 17th centruy glassmaking site at Glasshouse, Shinrone, Co. Offaly, Ireland. Post-Medieval Archaeology Journal Abstract [Details]

Article

	Year	Publication
	(2008)	'The corn stands of Corrandulla' in 'Anach Cuain: a community publication of Annaghdown parish 2008'. Fenwick, J. (2008) 'The corn stands of Corrandulla' in 'Anach Cuain: a community publication of Annaghdown parish 2008'. Article [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2006)	'Cregg ringfort - a case of mistaken, hidden or dual identity? in ' Anach Cuain: a community publication of Annaghdown parish 2006. Fenwick, J. (2006) 'Cregg ringfort - a case of mistaken, hidden or dual identity? in ' Anach Cuain: a community publication of Annaghdown parish 2006. Galway: Article [Details]
	(2005)	'The M3 and Tara: gaining the world and losing our soul' in 'The Word' magazine (Sept. 2005 issue). Fenwick, J. (2005) 'The M3 and Tara: gaining the world and losing our soul' in 'The Word' magazine (Sept. 2005 issue). Article [Details]

Book Review

	Year	Publication
	(2011)	Grogan, E. 2008 The Rath of the Synods, Tara, Co. Meath: excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin. Wordwell, Dublin. Pp 172, Figs 49, Pls 7, Tables 4, Hardback, Price €40, ISBN 978-1-905569-24-3. Joe Fenwick (2011) Grogan, E. 2008 The Rath of the Synods, Tara, Co. Meath: excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin. Wordwell, Dublin. Pp 172, Figs 49, Pls 7, Tables 4, Hardback, Price €40, ISBN 978-1-905569-24-3. Ríocht na Midhe: Meath Archaeological and Historical Society Book Review [ARAN Link] [Details]
	(2006)	Book review of 'Going over old ground: perspectives on archaeological, geophysical and geochemical surveys in Scotland' edited by R.E. Jones and L. Sharpe. Fenwick, J. (2006) Book review of 'Going over old ground: perspectives on archaeological, geophysical and geochemical surveys in Scotland' edited by R.E. Jones and L. Sharpe. Scottish Archaeological Journal 28(2) Book Review [Details]

Other Item

	Year	Publication
	(1993)	Topographical Report (Appendix to the Tara Survey interim report) in 'Discovery Programme Reports 1, Project Results 1992'. Fenwick, J., Newman, C. & Synnott, P. (1993) Topographical Report (Appendix to the Tara Survey interim report) in 'Discovery Programme Reports 1, Project Results 1992'. Dublin: The Discovery Programme / Royal Irish Academy Other Item [Details]

Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland (IAI)	Member	/

Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	1991	University College Dublin	Bachelor of Arts	Archaeology; Greek and Roman Civilization
	1997	National University of Ireland, Galway	Master of Arts	Archaeology

Teaching Interests

Contributing introductory tutorials and field-classes to AR1102 'Recording Monuments in the Landscape' as part of the 1st Year BA teaching programme.
Contributing tutorials as part of AR245 'Archaeology in Practice' for 2nd Year BA students.
Teaching practical courses in 'Digital Archaeological Field Survey' and 'An Introduction to ArcGIS for Archaeologists' (as part of AR6105 'GIS and Landscape Archaeology') and contributing to AR622 'Presenting Landscapes' for students of the MA in Landscape, Archaeology & Heritage.
Contributing to online teaching (Rathcroghan and Brú na Bóinne) as part of the Online Diploma in Archaeology, AR8115 'Irish Archaeology'.
Coordinating and teaching of archaeological field survey classes, with supporting class demonstrations, lectures and software tuition as part of Structured PhD courses (AR6103 'Introduction to Digital Surveying: Total Station'; SPA451 'Introduction to Digital Surveying: Trimble GPS').
Teaching introductory courses in 'Structure-from-motion Photogrammetry' and 'Laser-scanning using NextEngine' for postgraduate students of Archaeology