Excavation uncovers unique combination of prehistoric portal and court tombs and artefacts dating back almost 6,000 years Archaeologists have rediscovered a ‘lost’ Neolithic tomb and located a second, previously unidentified, tomb during excavations at a prehistoric site revealing new evidence about the earliest farming communities in the west of Ireland. Led by Dr Michelle Comber and Dr Noel McCarthy of the Discipline of Archaeology at University of Galway, the excavation in the Maree area of Co Galway has revealed two different types of megalithic tombs dating back almost 6,000 years. Researchers believe the site represents the only known example in Ireland where a court tomb and a portal tomb are found together, offering important new evidence about the people who built them during the early Neolithic period - the first farmers in this part of the world. Court tombs were burial monuments with an open area or ‘court’ where ritual/ceremonial activities took place, while portal tombs were stone-built burial chambers marked by a large capstone. The discovery of these two monument types side-by-side provides a rare opportunity to examine different approaches to burial, ritual and monument building in the Ireland of the Stone Age. Project co-lead, Dr Michelle Comber, lecturer in Archaeology at University of Galway, said: “The chance to find and excavate sites like these within the area of our larger research project provides a golden opportunity to locate - and attempt to understand - the first farmers of this place. Working here with colleagues, students, and community members, playing a part in such important discoveries, is thrilling both professionally and personally. “The size and scale of the tombs, and the effort required to construct them, reflect a sizeable community living in and farming this part of coastal Galway. Their location right next to each other represents a meeting of two traditions, raising new questions about the nature of that interaction.” Project co-lead, Dr Noel McCarthy, lecturer in Archaeology at University of Galway said: “The opportunity to investigate a site like this is not something that occurs very often. Discovering the second monument has added a layer of complexity that informs our understanding of culture and society in the Neolithic period and beyond. Whole communities came together to create these monuments in what must have been great displays of group identity and religious expression.” Once thought completely destroyed, the court tomb at Prospecthill, Maree, has been uncovered by University of Galway archaeological excavations this summer. One of the southernmost examples of this type of tomb, it is also one of the largest discovered, at approximately 30m in length. Right beside the court tomb, and previously unrecorded as a burial monument, the remains of a large portal tomb have also been discovered. Its impressive capstone measures almost 4m in length and 1m thick, weighing an estimated 14 tonnes. Archaeologists on the site also identified a large bedrock pit in which the portal tomb was originally constructed. This enabled the exceptional preservation of the original burial deposits, providing a rare opportunity to investigate evidence from the monument's earliest use, offering fresh insights into how these communities honoured and buried their dead. The excavation uncovered stone tools, prehistoric pottery and cremated bone, including a small amethyst pendant from the portal tomb. While quartz beads are known from a few megalithic sites, nothing like this amethyst pendant is known from anywhere in Ireland. Both tomb types are dated to the early Neolithic period and, despite their name, both tombs represent much more than just places of burial. They were the focus of communal gatherings and rituals, some of which involved human remains and ancestral interaction. The discoveries have been made as part of the University of Galway research project, MAREE – Land Use Through Time, which is exploring how people lived and used the landscape in the area over thousands of years. The latest discoveries build on the project's first excavation season in 2025, when archaeologists confirmed Rathgurreen Ringfort as a high-status Early Medieval settlement occupied by rulers and nobles. That excavation uncovered links to trade and contact extending to Rome, Scotland, France and Scandinavia. This year's discoveries have extended the research project's timeline back into early prehistory, offering new evidence about the origins of farming, settlement and territoriality in the west of Ireland. This is key to understanding the long and continuing relationship between people and land in this landscape. The excavation is being carried out by researchers and students from University of Galway, alongside community volunteers, and hosted by the local landowner the Burke family, with support from the Royal Irish Academy and survey work by the Discovery Programme, the national archaeological research body supported by the Heritage Council. Ends

University of Galway is to host the world premiere of one of the flagship events of the 2026 Galway International Arts Festival – Irish National Opera’s production of Testament.   Adapted from author Colm Tóibín’s acclaimed novella, The Testament of Mary, the show runs for three nights at the University’s Bailey Allen Hall, Friday-Sunday, July 24-26.   The work offers a profoundly intimate portrait of Mary in the final years of her life. Moving between memory and immediate experience, Testament explores grief, exile and the contested nature of truth as Mary revisits the events surrounding her son’s death while confronting the narratives that have grown around it.    The production is presented by Irish National Opera in association with Galway International Arts Festival.   Paul Fahy, Artistic Director of Galway International Arts Festival, commented: "We are delighted to present the world premiere of Testament by Irish National Opera at Bailey Allen Hall at the University of Galway as part of this year's Galway International Arts Festival. It's wonderful to have the support of University of Galway as we transform the Bailey Allen Hall into a theatre for this extraordinary new production, creating a unique Festival experience for audiences. Irish National Opera has earned an outstanding reputation both nationally and internationally for artistic excellence, and we're proud to partner with them to premiere this powerful new work by Tarik O'Regan and Colm Tóibín as part of the Festival.”   Professor David Burn, University of Galway President, said: “It’s a privilege for the University to be able to host the world premiere of Testament. It’s a great example of the pioneering creativity that has become so synonymous with the Galway International Arts Festival and something that brings enormous value to our Education Partnership.”   The archive of the Galway International Arts Festival is deposited at University of Galway Library. It includes material from the founding years of the festival, from 1978 through to present day, such as festival posters, production and event photographs, programmes, press, and other items.   With the University and Galway International Arts Festival marking 16 years of their Education Partnership, the archival work is expanding into a digital archive of festival artists and companies.   University of Galway archivist Dr Barry Houlihan said: “The Oral history project of the Galway International Arts Festival is creating a living archive of those who are at the heart of the festival annually – the artists. Conversations are recorded with artists every year, documenting their work, their craft and their experiences of the festival.   All oral histories from Galway International Arts Festival are freely available online from University of Galway Library https://digital.library.universityofgalway.ie/p/ms/categories/giaf   The acclaimed First Thought Talks series also continues this weekend on the University of Galway campus including Singing - Colm Tóibín in conversation with Iarla Ó Lionáird (25 July, 5.30pm); War, Tariffs, ICE and the Price of Gas - Fintan O’Toole and Marion McKeone in conversation (25 July, 4pm); What Were We Like - The Pope in Galway with Diarmaid Ferriter and Catriona Crowe (25 July, 2pm); AI: So What Happens Next? - Adrian Weckler in conversation Elaine Burke (26 July, 11am); The Wounds of Palestine and Love Stories of Conflict - Nick Maynard and Sally Hayden in conversation with Catriona Crowe (26 July, 12.30pm).   Vinyl Hours also brings Festival artists into conversation with music maestro Tiernan Henry for a series of lively, music-filled talks.   Galway International Arts Festival would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funding agencies the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland; its Drinks Partner Heineken®; Education Partner University of Galway.   Ends

University of Galway has celebrated the achievements of student innovators at its newly reimagined Start With Us awards, recognising outstanding commercial and social innovation ideas developed over the past six weeks. A flagship incubator programme, delivered by IdeasLab at University of Galway, Start With Us supports students through two pathways - Start100 for commercial innovation and SoStart for social innovation with 10 student teams developing early-stage ideas into solutions with the potential to make a lasting difference to communities, industries and society. The Start100 Commercial Innovation Award was presented to Katie Browne from Galway city, for Native Matcha, a matcha-based drink that provides a natural, sustained source of energy as an alternative to traditional caffeinated beverages. The inaugural So Start Social Innovation Award was presented to Galway local Caoimhe Ní Dhochartaigh, for Catch, a social enterprise supporting adolescent mental health through circus-based programmes that use movement, creativity and community to build confidence, resilience and wellbeing. The WestBIC One to Watch Award went to DripIQ, founded by Tanushree Yadav and Reena Babu, and Kishor Shirsat, all from India. DripIQ is a smart, low-cost clip-on device that improves IV flow accuracy and detects empty IV bags, helping enhance patient care while reducing workload for healthcare staff. 2026 also saw the addition of an Audience Choice Award which recognised SkillSwap, founded by John Hyland, from Galway city, for its approach to strengthening intergenerational connections by developing a platform for people to connect to share practical skills, knowledge and life experience. Dr Natalie Walsh, Director of Entrepreneurial Development at University of Galway, said: "Five years ago, we launched our student incubator with a simple ambition, to give students the confidence to explore an idea. Today, we are celebrating much more than winning pitches. We are celebrating a community of student innovators who have gone on to create businesses, social enterprises, jobs and real impact.  The introduction of dedicated commercial and social innovation pathways reflects our belief that innovation creates value in many ways. Whether our students are launching businesses, developing social enterprises or becoming innovators within existing organisations, they are learning how to identify opportunities, work collaboratively and create meaningful change. That is something we are incredibly proud of." Start With Us provides students with the opportunity to explore, test and develop ideas through human-centred design, customer discovery, mentoring and real-world engagement. Working alongside industry, community organisations, users and mentors, participants explored ideas through human-centred design, customer discovery and real-world engagement, testing assumptions, refining solutions and developing skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking. Now in its fifth year, the incubator has become an important part of University of Galway's student innovation programme, supporting students to turn ideas into businesses and social enterprises. Since its launch, the programme has supported 62 student innovators; contributed more than €3 million to the economy; supported the creation of more than 60 jobs. Alumni have gone on to establish companies, develop social enterprises, secure investment, join national accelerator programmes and pursue innovator careers. The final brought together leaders from across Ireland's innovation ecosystem, with representatives from Atlantic Bridge, Enterprise Ireland, WestBIC, Fairstone Ireland and An Mheitheal Rothar serving on the judging panel to evaluate the students' ideas and share their expertise. Dr Walsh added: "The ideas we've seen over the past six weeks demonstrate the creativity and ambition of our students. While some ventures will become businesses and others social enterprises, every participant has developed the confidence and skills to identify opportunities, solve problems and create positive impact. That's what Start With Us is all about." The University also acknowledged the continued support of Rethink Ireland, Ulster Bank, Fairstone and WestBIC, whose support enables students to explore ambitious ideas while building the skills and confidence to bring them forward. Ends