The Discovery Programme

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The Discovery Programme is Ireland’s national centre for archaeology and heritage research. It was set up by the government in 1991 and operates as a charity funded mainly by the Heritage Council.

Its main aim is to benefit communities by advancing culture, heritage and sciences. It helps people understand Ireland’s past through archaeological and related research, runs research programs, promotes such research, and supports education and outreach about Ireland’s archaeological heritage.

Projects

- Tara Research Project: Started in 1992 at Tara, often in collaboration with the Centre for Archaeological Survey at University College Galway. This work led to Tara: The Guidebook.

- Western Stone Forts: A study of large stone forts along Ireland’s western coast, including Dun Aonghasa. This project produced Dun Aonghasa: The Guidebook.

- Ogham: Ogham in 3D is a collaboration with the School of Celtic Studies, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, and the National Monuments Service. The goal is to laser-scan about 400 surviving Ogham stones in Ireland and nearby regions. It began on May 9, 2015, with fieldwork in several counties.

- Archaeology 2025: A long-term plan to promote Irish archaeology. Launched in 2016, it was developed with support from the Discovery Programme and led by the Royal Irish Academy.

Funding

The core funding comes from the Heritage Council. In 2015 it was €750,000, which was about 40% less than the peak funding in 2008. Like many cultural and educational institutions, The Discovery Programme also seeks funding from other sources.