Websites related to the archaeology of manufacture and transport, from the earliest times, but particularly the last three centuries.
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The Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland (IHAI) was established in June 1996 to foster a greater understanding
and appreciation of the many thousands of sites, monuments and items of machinery that together constitute our industrial heritage: mines, windmills,
steam engines, airfields etc. The site offers a collection of images and notices of events. Newsletter since issue 6 (Jan 1999) can be downloaded
in pdf format.
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Buildings Of Ireland: the website of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) of
Ireland, a section within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is possible to browse through or search the two
databases of buildings and gardens,and there are details of NIAH publications.
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Engineers Ireland - Heritage Society organises annual events, site visits and
exhibitions on engineering history for Engineers Ireland members and the general public. Recent lecture topics included: The Ulster Canal: history
and future and Protecting Ireland’s railway heritage. Some evening lectures are broadcast live as webcasts on Engineers TV, or are available
to download as recordings from the website.
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Mining Heritage Trust of Ireland. Information on the Trust, including a list of publications and information on
how to become a member. The site also includes an inventory of Irish historic mines, and an appeal to raise funds for the conservation of a unique
building at Allihies, Co Cork. [When visited on 12 Aug 2010, only the front page was available]
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Ross Island Mine Heritage and Tourism Site The mining of copper and other metals in Killarney,
County Kerry, from the beginnings of the Bronze Age to the 18th century AD. Described and illustrated by Dr. William O'Brien of University College
Galway, who excavated the prehistoric workings for some years. The site includes details of both the prehistoric and historic mines, and a PowerPoint
presentation which can be downloaded. There is also tourist information for visitors.
- The Skerries Mills: Two windmills (one believed to date from the 16th century) and a watermill,
restored and opened to the public. Guided tours, and a café and craft shop. Skerries is a coastal town in North County Dublin.
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Tide Mill at Nendrum - Very well-illustrated report on the 1999 excavation of an 8th century AD tide mill
at Nendrum Monastic Site, Co Down. Includes a link to a still-functioning tide mill in Spain, built in 1683.
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National Transport Museum of Ireland is located in the Heritage Depot, Howth Demesne, Howth.
The collection includes trams, buses, lorries, fire engines and tractors, and ranges in date from 1883 to 1984. The website describes the museum and
its collections.
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Ulster Folk and Transport Museum Through museum exhibits and reconstructed buildings, this museum explains
many aspects of folklife - agriculture, crafts and trades, social life, costume etc. At almost the other end of the scale, shipbuilding and aircraft
manufacture are included in one of the largest and widest ranging transport collections in Europe - a collection that is of national and international
importance.
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Traditional Boats of Ireland Project - a cooperative of people interested in the recording, preservation and
continued use of traditional water craft. There is still quite a variety traditional boats in use in Ireland, in both coastal and inland, Ireland
still possesses a remarkable variety of boat types on its coasts. a great waters. The site has a photo gallery, and sections on boat rescue and
recording, buying or selling a boat, and storage.
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The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland is a voluntary organisation which advocates the use, maintenance,
protection, restoration and improvement of the inland waterways of Ireland. The site is very much about the modern use of the waterways: a wealth of
information on routes, boats and events.
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The Irish Railway Record Society was formed in 1946 to preserve the history of Irish railways. Details of events
in Dublin, London and Munster. Journal published three times a year - tables of contents listed since No. 147 (Feb 2002) and full text of articles
mostly online.
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The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland was formed in 1964 to preserve in working order steam locomotives
and other rolling stock built for the Irish railway system, from 1850 to the present day. The RPSI maintains a museum at Whitehead, Northern Ireland,
and operates steam-hauled excursions over the present day Irish railway network for families and enthusiasts.
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The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden. A collection of Early Inventor's models, Scientific Engineering
Models, and Historic Works of Mechanical Art housed in Victorian Gothic building, once stood near Inchicore Railway Works in Dublin. It is now in
Straffan, County Kildare. Adjoining the museum is a restored 18th-century walled garden with the Steaming Kettle Tea House and Gift Shop.
Facebook
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Northern Ireland Aviation Archaeology Using archaeological techniques such as ground-penetrating
radar, field-walking and excavation to investigate Second World War air crashes in Ulster.
Thaddeus C. Breen
Comments and suggestions, please, to tbreen@xs4all.nl
Last revised 12 August 2010
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