Archaeological Excavation Site Visit

Archaeology is usually something you read about in books or peer at through museum glass. This event turns that on its head. The Kildare Archaeological Society and UCD’s Department of Archaeology are opening an active excavation site in Kildare to members of the public for a free afternoon visit, guided by the archaeologists who are actually doing the digging. It suits curious adults, families with older children, history enthusiasts, and anyone who has ever wondered what actually happens at a dig beyond the trowel-and-brush cliché.

What to expect

Arrival is at 3:00pm and the visit runs for approximately two hours. Expert archaeologists from UCD will walk you around the active site, explaining what the team is currently uncovering and why it matters. You can expect to hear how sites are chosen and recorded, how different layers of soil tell different stories, and what the current finds reveal about the people who lived in this part of Kildare in the past.

This is not a polished museum experience - it is a working site with trenches, finds trays and equipment in active use. That is precisely what makes it worthwhile. Small group sizes are maintained so there is room to ask questions. Children are welcome but must stay close to a parent or guardian at all times, given the nature of the ground underfoot.

Pre-booking is essential. The specific site address is provided to participants on booking. Wear sturdy closed-toe footwear - boots or trail shoes are ideal. The visit is weather dependent, so check for any communications from the organisers in the days beforehand.

The Kildare Archaeological Society was founded in 1891 and has been recording and protecting the county’s heritage ever since. County Kildare is rich in archaeological monuments, from Neolithic passage tombs and Iron Age hillforts to early Christian sites, so the research context here runs deep.

Getting there

Kildare town is easy to reach by road from Dublin via the M7 motorway (approximately 50 km, under an hour in normal traffic), and is also well served by Irish Rail on the Dublin Heuston to Cork/Limerick line - trains run regularly and the journey takes around 40 minutes from Heuston. The specific site address for the excavation is given on booking, so confirm transport arrangements once you have that detail. Parking is generally available near Kildare town and at most open-access sites in the area.

While you’re in Kildare

Kildare town itself rewards a few extra hours - the round tower, St Brigid’s Cathedral, and the Japanese Gardens at the Irish National Stud are all close by. There is more to see in Kildare and across Co. Kildare.

Good to know

• Date: Thursday 30 July 2026, 3:00pm start
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours
• Price: Free
• Booking: Pre-booking is essential - contact the Kildare Archaeological Society at kildarearchsoc.ie or check their social channels for booking details
• Footwear: Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots required
• Children: Welcome, must be supervised at all times
• Weather: Visit may be rescheduled in severe weather - check with organisers