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Geography, Archaeology & Irish Studies

Professor John Waddell

MA, PhD

 
researcher
 

Biography

John Waddell, former Professor of Archaeology and Head of the Department. A graduate of NUI, Galway (then University College, Galway), he studied at the University of Glasgow and worked in the National Museum of Ireland before returning to Galway in 1970. Appointed Professor of Archaeology in 1998, he is a member of the Royal Irish Academy. His research interests lie mainly in the archaeology of prehistoric Ireland and in the prehistoric relationships between this island and Britain and Continental Europe. Publications include studies of Irish early Bronze Age pottery and burials, a major synthesis of the archaeology of prehistoric Ireland, a history of Irish archaeology and a study of archaeology and Celtic mythology. Fieldwork has included work on the Aran Islands and in the royal site of Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon.

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
(2018) 'Equine Cults and Celtic Goddesses'
John Waddell (2018) 'Equine Cults and Celtic Goddesses'. Emania, [Details]
(2018) 'Excavation at a linear earthwork at Teltown, Co. Meath'
Madeline O'Brien and John Waddell (2018) 'Excavation at a linear earthwork at Teltown, Co. Meath'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, [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]
(2016) 'Geophysical Survey at Rathcroghan 2010-2012'
Schot, R., Waddell, J. & Fenwick, J. (2016) 'Geophysical Survey at Rathcroghan 2010-2012'. Emania, (23):51-59 [ARAN Link] [Details]
(1998) 'J.R.W. Goulden’s Excavations on Inishmore, Aran, 1953-1955'
Waddell, J. (1998) 'J.R.W. Goulden’s Excavations on Inishmore, Aran, 1953-1955'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 41 :37-59 [Details]
(1997) 'Ireland's Discovery Programme: progress and prospect'
Waddell, J (1997) 'Ireland's Discovery Programme: progress and prospect'. Antiquity, 71 :513-518 [Details]
(1995) 'M. V. Duignan’s Excavations at Kiltiernan, Co. Galway, 1950-1953 (with M. Clyne)'
Waddell, J. (1995) 'M. V. Duignan’s Excavations at Kiltiernan, Co. Galway, 1950-1953 (with M. Clyne)'. Journal Of The Galway Archaeological And Historical Society, [Details]
(1993) 'The Irish Sea In Prehistory'
Waddell, J. (1993) 'The Irish Sea In Prehistory'. The Journal Of Irish Archaeology, 6 :29-40 [Details]
(1991) 'The Question of the Celticization of Ireland, Emania'
Waddell,J. (1991) 'The Question of the Celticization of Ireland, Emania'. The Journal Of Irish Archaeology, (9):5-16 [Details]
(1989) 'Excavations at Daithi's Mound, Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon'
Waddell,J. (1989) 'Excavations at Daithi's Mound, Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon'. The Journal Of Irish Archaeology, 4 :23-36 [Details]
(1988) 'Rathcroghan in Connacht'
Waddell, J. (1988) 'Rathcroghan in Connacht'. Emania, :5-18 [Details]
(1986) 'Knocknagur, Turoe and local enquiry'
Waddell, J. (1986) 'Knocknagur, Turoe and local enquiry'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 40 :130-133 [Details]
(1984) 'Bronzes and Bones'
Waddell, J. (1984) 'Bronzes and Bones'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, 2 :71-72 [Details]
(1983) 'Rathcroghan - A Royal Site in Connacht'
Waddell, J. (1983) 'Rathcroghan - A Royal Site in Connacht'. The Journal of Irish Archaeology, 1 :21-46 [Details]
(1981) 'An Unpublished High Cross on Aran, County Galway'
Waddell, J. (1981) 'An Unpublished High Cross on Aran, County Galway'. Journal Of The Royal Society Of Antiquaries Of Ireland, 111 :29-35 [Details]
(1978) 'Some archaeological material in University College Galway'
Waddell, J. (1978) 'Some archaeological material in University College Galway'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 36 :56-69 [Details]
(1978) 'The Invasion Hypothesis in Irish Prehistory'
Waddell, J. (1978) 'The Invasion Hypothesis in Irish Prehistory'. Antiquity, 52 :121-128 [Details]
(1976) 'Kilcholan: an early ecclesiastical site on Inishmore, Aran'
Waddell, J. (1976) 'Kilcholan: an early ecclesiastical site on Inishmore, Aran'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 35 :86-88 [Details]
(1975) 'The Bronze Age Burials of County Galway'
Waddell, J. (1975) 'The Bronze Age Burials of County Galway'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 34 :5-20 [Details]
(1974) 'Some unusual pottery from Co. Meath'
Waddell, J. (1974) 'Some unusual pottery from Co. Meath'. Journal Of The Royal Society Of Antiquaries Of Ireland, 104 :143-145 [Details]
(1973) 'An Archaeological Survey of Temple Brecan, Aran'
Waddell, J. (1973) 'An Archaeological Survey of Temple Brecan, Aran'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 33 :5-27 [Details]
(1971) 'A Ring Fort at Ballybrit, Co. Galway'
Waddell, J. (1971) 'A Ring Fort at Ballybrit, Co. Galway'. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 32 :73-79 [Details]
(1970) 'Irish Bronze Age Cists: a Survey'
Waddell, J. (1970) 'Irish Bronze Age Cists: a Survey'. Journal Of The Royal Society Of Antiquaries Of Ireland, 100 :91-139 [Details]
(1968) 'National Museum of Ireland: Archaeological Acquisitions in the year 1965'
Waddell, J. (with J. Raftery and A.T. Lucas) (1968) 'National Museum of Ireland: Archaeological Acquisitions in the year 1965'. Journal Of The Royal Society Of Antiquaries Of Ireland, 98 :93-169 [Details]

Books

  Year Publication
(2018) Myth and Materiality.
John Waddell (2018) Myth and Materiality. Oxford: Oxbow Books. [Details]
(2014) Archaeology and Celtic Myth. Four Courts Press, Dublin.
Waddell, J. (2014) Archaeology and Celtic Myth. Four Courts Press, Dublin. Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2010) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Third revised edition, Wordwell, Dublin.
Waddell, J. (2010) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Third revised edition, Wordwell, Dublin. Dublin: Wordwell. [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]
(2005) Foundation Myths: the beginnings of Irish Archaeology, Wordwell, Bray.
Waddell, J. (2005) Foundation Myths: the beginnings of Irish Archaeology, Wordwell, Bray. Bray: Wordwell, Bray. [Details]
(2000) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Second edition, Wordwell, Bray.
Waddell, J. (2000) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Second edition, Wordwell, Bray. [Details]
(1998) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, First edition, Galway University Press  The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galway¹s library web site (in ARAN).
Waddell,J. (1998) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, First edition, Galway University Press  The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galway¹s library web site (in ARAN). [Details]
(1993) The Funerary Bowls and Vases of the Irish Bronze Age, Galway University Press, Galway. (with B. Ó Ríordáin).The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galways library web site (in ARAN)  .
Waddell, J. (with B. Ó Ríordáin) (1993) The Funerary Bowls and Vases of the Irish Bronze Age, Galway University Press, Galway. (with B. Ó Ríordáin).The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galways library web site (in ARAN)  . Galway: Galway University Press. [Details]
(1990) The Bronze Age Burials of Ireland, Galway University Press, Galway. The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galways library web site (in ARAN)  .
Waddell,J. (1990) The Bronze Age Burials of Ireland, Galway University Press, Galway. The full text is available on-line through the National University of Ireland Galways library web site (in ARAN)  . Galway: Galway University Press. [Details]

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
(2014) '‘The Cave of Crúachain and the Otherworld’ (Available on-line in ARAN)'
John Waddell (2014) '‘The Cave of Crúachain and the Otherworld’ (Available on-line in ARAN)' In: in J. Borsje, A. Dooley, S. Mac Mathúna & G. Toner (eds), Celtic cosmology: perspectives from Ireland and Scotland. Toronto: PIMS. [Details]
(2012) 'Tal-y-Llyn and the nocturnal voyage of the sun (Available on-line in ARAN)'
Waddell, J. (2012) 'Tal-y-Llyn and the nocturnal voyage of the sun (Available on-line in ARAN)' In: Reflections on the Past. Essays in honour of Frances Lynch (W. J. Britnell and R. J. Silvester eds). Welshpool: Cambrian Archaeological Association. [Details]
(2011) 'Continuity, cult and contest (Available on-line in ARAN)'
Waddell, J. (2011) 'Continuity, cult and contest (Available on-line in ARAN)' In: Landscapes of Cult and Kingship (R. Schot, C. Newman and E. Bhreathnach eds). Dublin: Four Courts Press. [Details]
(2009) 'The elusive image'
Waddell, J. (2009) 'The elusive image' In: Relics of Old Decency: archaeological studies in later prehistory. A Festschrift for Barry Raftery (G. Cooney et al eds). Dublin: Wordwell. [Details]
(2009) 'Boswells ogam'
Waddell, J. (2009) 'Boswells ogam' In: Lost and Found II. Rediscovering Ireland's Past (J. Fenwick ed.). Dublin: Wordwell. [Details]
(2003) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory'
Waddell, J. (2003) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory' In: Decoding the Landscape (Third edition, T. Collins ed.). Galway: Centre for Landscape Studies. [Details]
(1999) 'Celts and others: maritime contacts and linguistic change'
Waddell, J. and Conroy, J. (1999) 'Celts and others: maritime contacts and linguistic change' In: Archaeology and Language IV Language Change and Cultural Transformation (R. Blench and M. Spriggs eds). London: Routledge. [Details]
(1997) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory'
Waddell, J. (1997) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory' In: Decoding the Landscape (Second revised edition, T. Collins ed.). Galway: Centre for Landscape Studies. [Details]
(1996) 'Seeing beneath the soil: imaging our archaeological heritage'
Waddell, J. (with K. Barton, Y. Brennan and J. Fenwick) (1996) 'Seeing beneath the soil: imaging our archaeological heritage' In: The Irish Scientist 1996 Year Book. -: -. [Details]
(1995) 'Celts, Celticisation and the Irish Bronze Age'
Waddell, J. (1995) 'Celts, Celticisation and the Irish Bronze Age' In: Ireland in the Bronze Age, Proceedings of the Dublin Conference April 1995 (J. Waddell and E. Shee Twohig eds). Dublin: Office of Public Works. [Details]
(1995) 'The Cordoned Urn Tradition'
Waddell, J. (1995) 'The Cordoned Urn Tradition' In: Unbaked Urns of Rudely Shape. Essays on British and Irish Pottery for Ian Longworth (I. Kinnes and G. Varndell eds). Oxford: Oxbow. [Details]
(1994) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory'
Waddell, J. (1994) 'A Tale of Two Landscapes: the Irish Sea in Prehistory' In: T. Collins (ed.), Decoding the Landscape. Galway. Ireland: Centre for Landscape Studies. [Details]
(1994) 'The Archaeology of Aran (available on-line in ARAN)'
Waddell, J. (1994) 'The Archaeology of Aran (available on-line in ARAN)' In: The Book of Aran (J. Waddell, J. O’Connell and A. Korff eds). Kinvara: Tir Eolas. [Details]
(1994) 'A Tour of Rathcroghan'
Waddell, J. , (1994) 'A Tour of Rathcroghan' In: B. Ó Conaire (ed.), Comhdháil an Chraoibhín 1990, Roscommon. -: -. [Details]
(1993) 'Major Barrows ... Brenig 41 and Brenig 40'
Waddell, J. (1993) 'Major Barrows ... Brenig 41 and Brenig 40' In: Excavations in the Brenig Valley. A Mesolithic and Bronze Age Landscape in North Wale (F. Lynch ed.). Cardiff: Cambrian Archaeological Monographs. [Details]
(1991) 'The Celticization of the West: an Irish Perspective'
Waddell, J. (1991) 'The Celticization of the West: an Irish Perspective' In: L'Age du Bronze Atlantique. Actes du 1er Colloque de Beynac (C. Chevillot and A. Coffyn eds). Beynac: Colloque de Beynac. [Details]
(1991) 'The First People The Prehistoric Burren'
Waddell, J. (1991) 'The First People The Prehistoric Burren' In: The Book of the Burren (J. W. O’Connell and A. Korff eds). Kinvara: Tir Eolas, Kinvara. [Details]
(1991) 'The Earlier Bronze Age— Death in the Earlier Bronze Age'
Waddell, J. (1991) 'The Earlier Bronze Age— Death in the Earlier Bronze Age' In: M. Ryan (ed.), The Illustrated Archaeology of Ireland. Dublin: Country House. [Details]
(1982) 'From Kermaria to Turoe'
Waddell, J. (1982) 'From Kermaria to Turoe' In: Studies on Early Ireland: Essays in honour of M.V. Duignan (B. Scott ed.). Belfast: AYIA. [Details]
(1981) 'The Antique Order of the Dead: Cemeteries and Continuity in Bronze Age Ireland'
Waddell, J. (1981) 'The Antique Order of the Dead: Cemeteries and Continuity in Bronze Age Ireland' In: D. Ó Corráin (ed.), Irish Antiquity. Essays and Studies presented to Professor M.J. O’Kelly. Cork: ower Books. [Details]
(1976) 'Cultural interaction in the Insular Early Bronze Age: some ceramic evidence'
Waddell, J. (1976) 'Cultural interaction in the Insular Early Bronze Age: some ceramic evidence' In: S.J. de Laet (ed.), Acculturation and Continuity in Atlantic Europe. Bruges: Dissertationes Archaeologicae Gandensis. [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
(1995) Proceedings of the Dublin Conference. Dublin: Office of Public Works
Waddell, J. (with E. Shee Twohig) (eds) (1995) Ireland in the Bronze Age Proceedings of the Dublin Conference. Dublin: Office of Public Works [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
(2007) New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 5, Archaeology (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.
Waddell, J., Mannin,g C. and Gosling, P (Ed.). (2007) New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 5, Archaeology (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy, Dublin New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 5, Archaeology (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
(2005) New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 4, The Abbey (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy. Dublin.
Waddell, J., Mannin,g C. and Gosling, P (Ed.). (2005) New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 4, The Abbey (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy. Dublin New Survey of Clare Island, Vol. 4, The Abbey (with C. Manning and P. Gosling). Royal Irish Academy. Dublin. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
(1996) Discovery Programme Reports 4.
Waddell, J. (ed.) (Ed.). (1996) Discovery Programme Reports 4 Discovery Programme Reports 4. Dublin: DisDiscovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
(1995) Discovery Programme Reports 2 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy).
Waddell, J (Ed.). (1995) Discovery Programme Reports 2 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy) Discovery Programme Reports 2 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy). Dublin: Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy. [Details]
(1995) Ireland in the Bronze Age. Proceedings of the Dublin Conference, April 1995 (with E. Shee Twohig). Office of Public Works, Dublin.
Waddell, J. and Shee Twohig, E (Ed.). (1995) Ireland in the Bronze Age. Proceedings of the Dublin Conference, April 1995 (with E. Shee Twohig). Office of Public Works, Dublin Ireland in the Bronze Age. Proceedings of the Dublin Conference, April 1995 (with E. Shee Twohig). Office of Public Works, Dublin. Dublin: Office of Public Works. [Details]
(1994) The Book of Aran (with J. O’Connell and A. Korff). Tir Eolas, Kinvara.
Waddell, J., O’Connell, J. and Korff, A (Ed.). (1994) The Book of Aran (with J. O’Connell and A. Korff). Tir Eolas, Kinvara The Book of Aran (with J. O’Connell and A. Korff). Tir Eolas, Kinvara. Kinvara: Tír Eolas. [Details]
(1993) Discovery Programme Reports 1 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy).
Waddell, J (Ed.). (1993) Discovery Programme Reports 1 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy) Discovery Programme Reports 1 (Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy). Dublin: Discovery Programme and Royal Irish Academy. [Details]

Other Journals

  Year Publication
(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) 'Cheques and Balances'
Waddell, J. (2005) 'Cheques and Balances' Archaeology Ireland, 19 (1) :7-8. [Details]
(1999) 'The magnetic presence of Queen Medb (Magnetic gradiometry at Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon)'
Waddell, J., Barton, K., Brennan, Y., Fenwick, J. (1999) 'The magnetic presence of Queen Medb (Magnetic gradiometry at Rathcroghan, Co Roscommon)' Archaeology Ireland, 13 (1) :8-11. [Details]
(1996) 'A Bronze Age Cist Cemetery at Stranagalwilly, Co. Tyrone'
Waddell, J. (with D.M. Waterman) (1996) 'A Bronze Age Cist Cemetery at Stranagalwilly, Co. Tyrone' Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 56 :44-60. [Details]
(1995) 'Seeing beneath Rathcroghan'
Waddell. J. (with K. Barton) (1995) 'Seeing beneath Rathcroghan' Archaeology Ireland, 9 :38-41. [Details]
(1992) 'Women in Ancient Europe'
Waddell, J. (1992) 'Women in Ancient Europe' Women’s Studies Centre Review 1, :29-37. [Details]
(1990) 'The Peakaun Site: M V Duignans 1944 Investigations'
with P. Holland (1990) 'The Peakaun Site: M V Duignans 1944 Investigations' Tipperary Historical Journal, :165-186. [Details]
(1990) 'Past Imperfect. Women in Ancient Europe'
Waddell, J. (1990) 'Past Imperfect. Women in Ancient Europe' Archaeology Ireland, 4 :12-14. [Details]
(1988) 'Professor Michael V. Duignan, 1907-1988'
Waddell, J. (1988) 'Professor Michael V. Duignan, 1907-1988' Archaeology Ireland, 2 . [Details]
(1987) 'Rescue Archaeology and the State'
Waddell, J. (1987) 'Rescue Archaeology and the State' Archaeology Ireland, 1 :57-59. [Details]
(1975) 'The Encrusted Urn in Ireland: some comments'
Waddell, J. (1975) 'The Encrusted Urn in Ireland: some comments' Irish Archaeological Research Forum, 2 :21-28. [Details]
(1974) 'On Some Aspects of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in Ireland'
Waddell, J. (1974) 'On Some Aspects of the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age in Ireland' Irish Archaeological Research Forum, 1 :32-38. [Details]
(1974) 'Brenig Valley Excavations 1973 (Interim Report)'
Waddell, J. (with F. Lynch, D. Allen and S. Grealey) (1974) 'Brenig Valley Excavations 1973 (Interim Report)' Denbighshire Historical Transactions, 23 :9-64. [Details]
(1973) 'The Brenig Valley Excavations ... Brenig 40 and 41'
Waddell, J. (1973) 'The Brenig Valley Excavations ... Brenig 40 and 41' Archaeology in Wales, 13 :18-20. [Details]
(1970) 'Notes on some Kerry souterrains'
Waddell, J. (1970) 'Notes on some Kerry souterrains' Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society, :15-18. [Details]
(1969) 'Two Bronze Age Burials from Reardnogy More, Co. Tipperary'
Waddell, J. (1969) 'Two Bronze Age Burials from Reardnogy More, Co. Tipperary' North Munster Antiquarian Journal, 12 :3-5. [Details]

Book Review

  Year Publication
(2015) Exploring Prehistoric Identity in Europe: Our Construct or Theirs?.
Waddell, J (2015) Exploring Prehistoric Identity in Europe: Our Construct or Theirs?. Book Review [DOI] [Details]
(2008) Beyond Stonehenge. Essays on the Bronze Age in Honour of Colin Burgess.
Waddell, J (2008) Beyond Stonehenge. Essays on the Bronze Age in Honour of Colin Burgess. Book Review [Details]

Field Guide

  Year Publication
(2009) Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon: where the Táin Bó Cúailgne began.
John Waddell (2009) Rathcroghan, Co. Roscommon: where the Táin Bó Cúailgne began. Dublin: Field Guide [Details]

Letter

  Year Publication
(2009) Egyptian Ireland.
Waddell, J (2009) Egyptian Ireland. Letter [Details]

Other Item

  Year Publication
(1992) The Discovery Programme. Strategies and Questions. Dublin: Discovery Programme.
Waddell, J. (with G. Eogan et al.) (1992) The Discovery Programme. Strategies and Questions. Dublin: Discovery Programme. Other Item [Details]

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
Royal Irish Academy Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Royal Irish Academy Member /