Rúaidhri De Valera
Encyclopedia
Rúaidhrí de Valera was an Irish
archaeologist most known for his work on the megalithic tombs of his country.
in 1939 before serving briefly in the Irish Army and then lecturing at the National University of Ireland
at Maynooth
for one year until 1943. He then studied for an MA in archaeology, writing his thesis on the prehistoric tomb
s of County Clare
.
which permitted him to develop the Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland project. He went on write significant papers on Irish prehistory which contributed to his doctorate, awarded in 1954.
In 1957, de Valera was appointed Chair of Celtic Archaeology at University College Dublin where he worked to enlarge the department whilst continuing to publish on Irish chamber tombs, especially the Court cairn
s which he proposed first developed in the west of the country.
De Valera later excavated at the Mound of the Hostages
at Tara
.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
archaeologist most known for his work on the megalithic tombs of his country.
Early studies
De Valera took a B.A degree in Celtic Studies from University College DublinUniversity College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
in 1939 before serving briefly in the Irish Army and then lecturing at the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland
The National University of Ireland , , is a federal university system of constituent universities, previously called constituent colleges, and recognised colleges set up under the Irish Universities Act, 1908, and significantly amended by the Universities Act, 1997.The constituent universities are...
at Maynooth
Maynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
for one year until 1943. He then studied for an MA in archaeology, writing his thesis on the prehistoric tomb
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
s of County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
.
Work
In 1947, de Valera became the Archaeological Officer for Ordnance Survey IrelandOrdnance Survey Ireland
Ordnance Survey Ireland is the national mapping agency of the Republic of Ireland and, together with the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland , succeeded, after 1922, the Irish operations of the United Kingdom Ordnance Survey. It is part of the Public service of the Republic of Ireland...
which permitted him to develop the Survey of the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland project. He went on write significant papers on Irish prehistory which contributed to his doctorate, awarded in 1954.
In 1957, de Valera was appointed Chair of Celtic Archaeology at University College Dublin where he worked to enlarge the department whilst continuing to publish on Irish chamber tombs, especially the Court cairn
Court cairn
The court cairn or court tomb is a megalithic type of chamber tomb and gallery grave, specifically a variant of the chambered cairn, found in western and northern Ireland, and in mostly southwest Scotland...
s which he proposed first developed in the west of the country.
De Valera later excavated at the Mound of the Hostages
Mound of the Hostages
The Mound of the Hostages is an ancient passage tomb located in the Tara-Skryne Valley in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland.The mound is a Neolithic structure, built between 2500 and 3000 BCE. It is circular in form, roughly fifteen metres in diameter and three metres high. It is built in the same...
at Tara
Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara , located near the River Boyne, is an archaeological complex that runs between Navan and Dunshaughlin in County Meath, Leinster, Ireland...
.