Dr Michael Potterton

    History

    Associate Professor
    Lecturer

    Rhetoric House
    1st
    37
    (01) 708 3410

    Biography

    Dr Michael Potterton’s core field of research is the history and archaeology of medieval Ireland, with special reference to landscape and settlement – urban, rural and hinterlands. He has established an international reputation as an innovative researcher, a dynamic teacher and an accomplished writer and editor. He has published thirteen books (as author, co-author or co-editor), presented cutting-edge research in nine countries, received fifteen competitively awarded scholarships and grants and organised a dozen fully booked conferences. He has designed, coordinated, taught and examined over twenty different undergraduate and postgraduate courses at five universities in three countries (MU, NUIG, UCD, Sorbonne, University of Toronto). He has also given guest lectures at QUB, TCD, the University of Wales at Lampeter, Lancaster University, East Carolina University, Appalachian State University and Wellington College (UK).

    From 1996 to 1998 Michael was the Assistant Director on the multi-period research excavations at Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath. He is now the Principal Investigator on that project. Between 2005 and 2008 he spent over forty weeks training more than 150 students from fifteen countries on the archaeological excavation at the medieval castle site in Tulsk, Co. Roscommon. Michael is on the Academic Committee of the Irish Archaeological Field School and is a guest lecturer on East Carolina University’s annual study abroad programme in Wicklow.

    Michael did his PhD at Maynooth. His doctoral research on medieval Trim, Co. Meath, epitomises his belief in the importance of grassroots local studies, but set firmly within an international context. Combining historical,     archaeological and architectural analyses, the thesis and subsequent book (2005) demonstrate the interdisciplinary nature of his work. For seven years as a Senior Research Archaeologist with the Discovery Programme – Ireland’s institution for advanced archaeological research – Michael worked closely with other historians, archaeologists, geographers and palaeo-environmentalists on the Medieval Rural Settlement Project. One of the groundbreaking products of this approach is the 600-page Dublin Region in the Middle Ages (Murphy & Potterton, 2010), a rigorously peer-reviewed volume championed as a model for future hinterland studies internationally. Michael has presented on the results of these projects at conferences all over Ireland as well as in Britain, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Canada and the US.


    In 2005 Christiaan Corlett of the National Monuments Service and Michael initiated a project to facilitate the dissemination of the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via focused conferences and high-quality publications. The project is unique in terms of both its concept and its range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.10,000 years of human occupation. They have published six volumes in the series.

    In 2007, together with Thomas Herron (North Carolina), Michael edited the multidisciplinary collection Ireland in the Renaissance, c.1540–1660 and in 2011 they collaborated on a follow-up volume, Dublin and the Pale in the Renaissance.     In 2008, with archaeologist Matthew Seaver, Michael coordinated the ‘Uncovering Medieval Trim’ project. A conference showcased the results of recent excavations, and a subsequent book (Uncovering Medieval Trim, 2009) put the information on permanent record.

    Michael is a board member of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas and a committee member of the International Commission for the History of Towns. He is on the Editorial Board of the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy and the Journal of Irish Archaeology and is an academic advisor to various initiatives including the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site Research Framework, the Trim Town Walls Conservation Plan, the Blackfriary Archaeology Field School and the INSTAR Mapping Death Project.     For eight years he was a Council Member of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (RSAI) and in 2006 he became Reviews Editor of The Journal of the American Society of Irish Medieval Studies. From 2005 to 2009 he was editor of The European Archaeologist, a web-based international newsletter for the European Association of Archaeologists (EAA). As an EAA Board Member, he represented Ireland at meetings in Croatia, Malta and the Czech Republic.

    From 2009 to 2015 Michael was employed as Editor (and then Senior Editor) with Four Courts Press, Ireland’s multi-award-winning and leading academic publisher. In addition to managing almost one hundred books through the publication process, Michael’s responsibilities at Four Courts included coordinating peer-review, managing funding applications and advising recently graduated PhD students on how best to convert their theses to books.

    In addition to an NUI Studentship and an Irish Research Council PhD Scholarship, Michael has received ten significant grants from the Heritage Council, the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, and the RSAI/Bevir Trust. The projects mentioned above (Renaissance, Recent Excavations and Uncovering Medieval Trim) have attracted funding of over €90,000 from bodies including the OPW, the County Meath Heritage Plan, INSTAR, TRIARC and the National Roads Authority, as well as collaborating institutions in the US.

    Michael is an ambitious and versatile Maynooth graduate with an international research profile, a proven track record in teaching and a distinguished portfolio of publications and awards. While his research is firmly rooted in Ireland, it is of international significance and set within a global context.


    In 2011 Michael was honoured by being elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in recognition of his ‘major contribution to the study of medieval Ireland through teaching on excavations and at universities in Ireland and abroad, and work as author and editor’.

    If any students – past, current or prospective – have any interest in or questions about any of the items mentioned above, please feel free to contact Michael at michael.l.potterton@mu.ie.

    Research Interests

    Michael Potterton specialises in the archaeology and history of Ireland from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, especially urban and rural landscapes, settlement and society. Further research interests include hinterlands, crannogs, contacts between Ireland and the Continent, and the archaeology of Ireland form prehistory to the present.

    Research Projects

    Title Role Description Start date End date Amount
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI 01/09/2020 30/09/2021 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland: Grant for seminar Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2017 30/09/2017 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 3: Settlement in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2011 30/09/2011 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 3: Settlement in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2011 30/09/2011 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 3: Settlement in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2011 30/09/2011 1000
    Ireland in the Renaissance Project (Dublin and the Pale) Co-Director 01/09/2008 30/09/2011 2000
    Ireland in the Renaissance Project (Dublin and the Pale) Co-Director 01/09/2008 30/09/2011 500
    Ireland in the Renaissance Project (Dublin and the Pale) Co-Director 01/09/2008 30/09/2011 500
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2019 30/09/2020 19400
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2018 30/09/2019 16400
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 5: The church in early medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2014 30/09/2014 5000
    Medieval Trim: history and archaeology Author 01/09/2005 30/09/2005 3500
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI 01/09/2016 30/09/2017 2000
    International Commission for the History of Towns: Conference Excursion PI 01/09/2022 30/09/2022 1000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2020 30/09/2021 20400
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2021 30/09/2022 30279.12
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2022 30/09/2023 30030.2
    Erasmus Scholarship Student 01/09/1994 01/09/1995 13000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI 01/09/2020 30/09/2021 6000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2021 30/09/2022 5000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2021 30/09/2022 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 2: Death and burial in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2010 30/09/2011 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 3: Settlement in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2010 30/09/2010 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 5: The church in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2014 30/09/2014 5000
    Town–Country relations in Ireland Chairman 01/09/2021 30/09/2021 4500
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project: Conference 2022 PI This major conference took place at MU in September 2022. Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2022 30/09/2022 3500
    Ireland in the Renaissance Project Co-Director 01/09/2007 30/09/2007 3500
    GOI Scholarship for Seán Ó Hoireabhárd: The Storm before the Storm: The Irish twelfth century and the impact of the English invasion PI Colman Etchingham was original supervisor. Now Michael Potterton. 01/10/2017 30/09/2021 94588.08
    International Commission for the History of Towns: Conference PI 01/09/2022 30/09/2022 4000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/01/2023 30/09/2023 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 3: Settlement in early medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2011 30/09/2011 5000
    Postgraduate Scholastic Funding Board Tuition Bursary Student 01/09/1998 30/09/1999 5000
    Government of Ireland Scholarship Student 01/09/1999 01/09/2022 40000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 4: Life and death in Iron Age Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2012 30/09/2012 5000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 1: Rural settlement in medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2009 30/09/2009 4000
    Uncovering medieval Trim Co-Director 01/09/2009 30/09/2009 3500
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI 01/09/2019 30/09/2020 3200
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project: Conference 2022 PI This major conference took place at MU in September 2022. Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/09/2022 30/09/2022 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 4: Life and death in Iron Age Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2011 30/09/2011 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 800
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 400
    Ireland in the Renaissance Project (Dublin and the Pale) Co-Director 01/09/2008 30/09/2008 1000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 2000
    Archival Bursary Student 01/09/2000 30/09/2001 2000
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology 6: Towns in Medieval Ireland Co-Director In 2005 Michael Potterton initiated a project with Chris Corlett of the National Monuments Service to research and synthesise the results of recent archaeological excavations in Ireland, via thematic conferences and publications. The project is unique in concept and range; it covers sites from all parts of the island and from all periods of the country’s c.12,000 years of human occupation. The idea sprang from a recognition of the large amount of archaeological excavation taking place and the slowness with which the findings were reaching the rest of the archaeological community, the academic world and the public. We partnered with the Heritage Council, the Discovery Programme, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Wordwell and a range of archaeological consultancies. We have hosted seven major seminars, published six volumes in the Research Papers in Irish Archaeology series and raised €60,000 for the project. The series has built into a body of work that encourages and facilitates further research while providing interpretation and discussion of this ‘new archaeology’. The project, now firmly embedded at MU, improves awareness, understanding and appreciation of Ireland’s archaeological heritage at both professional and popular levels. 01/09/2019 30/09/2019 1000
    Moynagh Lough Excavation Project PI In 1980 the Royal Irish Academy recommenced funding the excavations at Moynagh, directed by John Bradley. In the years that followed, Moynagh became a flagship project for the Academy. Through the 1980s and 1990s, many individuals who would go on to hold the most senior offices in Irish archaeology – in universities, museums, the civil service and the private sector – cut their teeth trowelling back the years at Moynagh Lough. It turned out that this was an exceptional multi-period site with rich artefactual assemblages from multiple levels and phases. Over the years, John produced a number of reports and published several articles about the findings at Moynagh (see attached bibliography), but the main excavation report remains incomplete and unpublished. When John moved to Maynooth University from UCD in 1996 the Moynagh archive moved with him. MU took responsibility for housing the archive and administering the substantial research grants provided by the Royal Irish Academy. Students worked on the excavation and afterwards were involved in post-excavation tasks. Sadly, John passed away in 2014, leaving the excavation incomplete and unpublished. The archive – including over 8,000 artefacts, 20 boxes of soil samples, 50 notebooks, 40 ring-binders, and hundreds of plans, drawings, sketches and photographs – is still housed on campus in Maynooth. It is no exaggeration to state that Moynagh Lough is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. Even though it has not yet been fully published, there is not an archaeologist in the country who has not heard of the site. For my own part, I was a volunteer, then a supervisor and finally Assistant Director of the excavations under John Bradley in the 1990s. I was the last Assistant Director of the site and I am more familiar with the archive than anyone else. I am John’s Literary Executor and I feel that I have a moral as well as a professional responsibility to see that Moynagh is fully published and that the archive and artefacts are transferred to the National Museum of Ireland in due course. I have assembled a steering committee including representatives from the National Museum of Ireland, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Heritage Council, the Royal Irish Academy, Meath County Council, University College Dublin and Maynooth University, all of whom have visited the archive in Maynooth and all of whom are enthusiastic about and committed to seeing this project through to its natural conclusion. Maynooth University funded five 6-week work-experience programmes (summer 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) for students to work with me on sorting the archive and preparing finds and samples for analysis. Thanks primarily to the Archaeology Research Excavation Grants scheme, the Royal Irish Academy and the National Monuments Service, the Moynagh Lough Project is now up-and-running again. I think it is fair to say that this is a matter of some relief and satisfaction to all parties involved and to the wider archaeological community in Ireland. The scoping exercise (2019) identified a series of priorities; among these are conservation of metal artefacts, digitisation of plans and section drawings, transcription of site notebooks and record sheets, and assessment and analysis of palaeo-environmental samples. Moynagh Lough lies just over 400m south-west of Nobber in north Co. Meath, surrounded by a drumlin landscape of rich pasturelands. The surviving pool (200m by 60m) is all that remains of a once-much-larger lake that was drained in the early nineteenth century. That lake was an expanse of the River Dee, which, following drainage, now flows in a straight, man-made channel through the centre of the old lake bed. Excavation revealed that the initial human occupation of the site commenced in the centuries immediately before 4000BC when a community of Mesolithic hunter-gatherers constructed a series of platforms in the lake. Climatic change and fluctuating water levels meant that the site was abandoned until the Early Bronze Age, when at least two round houses were constructed. Two phases of Later Bronze Age activity were found, but the site was abandoned again around 790BC. The prehistoric knolls still formed shallows and it may have been this that attracted crannog-builders, probably in the seventh century AD. The early medieval crannog was occupied for approximately two centuries, and a sequence of six habitation phases were present. One phase included a remarkable round house, the size of which (11.2m across) is exceptional, and, basing his research on the early Irish law tracts, Chris Lynn suggested that it was the residence of a king or senior aristocrat. This ties in well with research by Edel Bhreathnach, which indicates that Moynagh is the Loch Dé Mundech associated with the Mugdorne during the seventh and eighth centuries. Michael Potterton 18/09/2020 27/11/2020 9700
    Moynagh Lough Project & Meath County Council PI 01/01/2021 31/12/2021 5161.16
    Moynagh Lough Project Principal Investigator Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is one of the most significant archaeological sites ever discovered in Ireland. The excavation is complete but the post-excavation project has been ongoing since 2018. The archive, including some 10,000 artefacts, is housed at MU and we have partnered with UCD to see the project through to full publication and deposition of the artefacts and archives with the National Museum of Ireland in 2028. 01/10/2017

    Book

    Year Publication
    2010 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2010) The Dublin region in the Middle Ages: settlement, land-use and economy. Dublin: Four Courts Press.
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Medieval Trim: history and archaeology. Dublin: Four Courts Press.

    Edited Book

    Year Publication
    2023 Michael Potterton and Sarah Gearty (Ed.). (2023) Town–Country relations in Ireland. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2023 Michael Potterton, Denis Shine and Stephen Mandal (Ed.). (2023) Discovering medieval Ferns, County Wexford. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) Rachel Moss and Cólman Ó Clabaigh OSB, 'Modest and civil people' Religion and society in medieval Galway. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) Regina Donlon, The Burning of Knockcroghery Village, Co. Roscommon, 1921. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) Suzanne M. Pegley, Thomas Conolly (1823-76) of Castletown House and the social networking of power. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) David Heffernan, Early modern Duhallow, c.1534-1641 The crisis, decline and fall of Irish lordship. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) Lisa McGeeney, Nursing and midwifery in the poor-law unions of Borrisokane and Nenagh, 1882–1922. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2022 Michael Potterton (Ed.). (2022) John Colgan, Nathaniel Colgan, 1851–1919 The life, times and genealogy of an enigmatic Dubliner. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2021 Michael Potterton, H.B. Clarke, Raymond Gillespie and Jacinta Prunty (Ed.). (2021) Rathmines: Irish Historic Towns Atlas, Dublin Suburbs no. 2 (by Séamus Ó Maitiú). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2020 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2020) The town in medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations. Dublin: Wordwell,
    2020 Michael Potterton, H.B. Clarke, Raymond Gillespie and Jacinta Prunty (Ed.). (2020) John Martin, Dungarvan/Dún Garbhán (Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 30). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2019 Michael Potterton, H.B. Clarke, Raymond Gillespie and Jacinta Prunty (Ed.). (2019) Ned Mc Hugh, Drogheda/Droichead Átha (Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 29). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2019 Michael Potterton, H.B. Clarke, Raymond Gillespie and Jacinta Prunty (Ed.). (2019) Paul Walsh, Renaissance Galway: delineating the seventeenth-century city. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2019 Michael Potterton, Denis Shine, Stephen Mandal & Catherine McLoughlin (Ed.). (2019) Carrick, County Wexford: Ireland’s first Anglo-Norman stronghold. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2018 Michael Potterton, H.B. Clarke, Raymond Gillespie and Jacinta Prunty (Ed.). (2018) Colm Lennon, Clontarf (Irish Historic Towns Atlas, Dublin Suburbs no. 1). Dublin: Royal Irish Academy,
    2017 Michael Potterton, John Bradley and Cóilín Ó Drisceoil (Ed.). (2017) William Marshal and Ireland. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2014 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2014) The church in early medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations. Dublin: Wordwell,
    2012 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2012) Life and death in Iron Age Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations. Bray: Wordwell,
    2011 Michael Potterton and Thomas Herron (Ed.). (2011) Dublin and the Pale in the Renaissance, c.1540–1660. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2011 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2011) Settlement in early medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations. Bray: Wordwell,
    2010 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2010) Death and burial in early medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excvations. Bray: Wordwell,
    2009 Michael Potterton and Christiaan Corlett (Ed.). (2009) Rural settlement in medieval Ireland in the light of recent archaeological excavations. Bray: Wordwell,
    2009 Michael Potterton and Matthew Seaver (Ed.). (2009) Uncovering medieval Trim: recent archaeological excavations in and around Trim, Co. Meath. Dublin: Four Courts Press,
    2007 Michael Potterton and Thomas Herron (Ed.). (2007) Ireland in the Renaissance, c.1540–1660. Dublin: Four Courts Press,

    Book Chapter

    Year Publication
    2023 Michael Potterton, Jim Galloway and Margaret Murphy (2023) 'Town and Country in Ireland in the later Middle Ages, c.1170–c.1600' In: Town–Country relations in Ireland. Dublin : Royal Irish Academy.
    2023 Michael Potterton (2023) 'From caput to caput: the rise and fall of medieval Ferns, c.600–c.1600' In: Discovering medieval Ferns, County Wexford. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2023 Michael Potterton (2023) 'Some archaeological evidence for international trade in Irish towns in the Middle Ages' In: Cities and economy in Europe from the Middle Ages to the present: markets and trade on the margins. Abingdon : Routledge.
    2021 Michael Potterton (2021) ''Diverse persons of malice prepensed': who stole the records from Trim Castle in 1494?' In: The historian as detective: uncovering Irish pasts. Essays in honour of Raymond Gillespie. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2021 Michael Potterton and John Sheehan (2021) 'The Vikings and Normans: coastal invaders and settlers' In: The coastline atlas of Ireland. Cork : Cork University Press.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) 'A second Pale? The growth and decline of Anglo-Norman Wexford, c.1200–1400' In: Carrick, County Wexford: Ireland’s first Anglo-Norman stronghold. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2013 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2013) 'Agriculture in the Tara/Skreen region, c.AD1170–1660' In: Tara: from the past to the future. Towards a new research agenda. Dublin : Wordwell.
    2011 Michael Potterton (2011) 'The FitzGeralds, Florence, St Fiachra and a few fragments' In: Dublin and the Pale in the Renaissance, c.1540–1660. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) 'Understanding Trim through the ages' In: Uncovering medieval Trim: recent archaeological excavations in and around Trim, Co. Meath. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2009 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2009) 'Mapping a medieval landscape? The Civil Survey and land-use in medieval Dublin' In: Dublin in the medieval world: studies in honour of Howard B. Clarke. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2005 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2005) 'Investigating living standards in the medieval Dublin region' In: Medieval Dublin VI: proceedings of the Friends of Medieval Dublin Symposium, 2004. Dublin : Four Courts Press.
    2002 Michael Potterton (2002) 'The lordship of Meath and the liberty of Trim, Ireland, 1172–1425' In: Medieval Europe: centre, region, periphery. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference of Medieval and Later Archaeology, Basel 2002. Basel : Verlag DR G. Wesselkamp.

    Peer Reviewed Journal

    Year Publication
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) ''On the shoulders of giants': re-establishing the Moynagh Lough Project'. Archaeology Ireland, 36 (2):18-23.
    2021 Potterton, Michael (2021) 'Early Medieval Ireland, 431-1169'. Irish Economic and Social History, 48 :170-172. [DOI]
    2019 Potterton, Michael (2019) 'Cultural Exchange and Identity in Late Medieval Ireland: The English and Irish of the Four Obedient Shires'. American Historical Review, 124 :1939-1940. [DOI]
    2014 Michael Potterton (2014) 'Obituary: John Bradley, 1954–2014'. Archaeology Ireland, 28 (4):9-9.
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) 'Review of An archaeology of southwest Ireland (by Colin Breen)'. Landscape History, 30 :105-105.
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) 'Review of Irish walled towns (by John Givens)'. Irish Arts Review (2002-), 25 (3):144-145.
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) 'Review of Cambridge and its economic region, 1450–1560 (by John S. Lee)'. Journal of Economic History, 66 (3):829-830. [Full-Text]
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) 'Review article on Trim: Irish Historic Towns Atlas, no. 14 (by Mark Hennessy)'. Ríocht Na Midhe, Records of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society, 17 :332-337.
    2002 Michael Potterton (2002) 'Reviews of Kilkenny: Irish Historic Town Atlas, no. 10 (by John Bradley) and Discover Kilkenny (by John Bradley)'. Irish Arts Review (2002-), 18 (2002):192-193. [Full-Text]

    Other Journal

    Year Publication
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) 'Where were we then?' Social Policy and Society, (60) :21-22.
    2013 Michael Potterton (2013) 'French connections in late medieval Ireland: the case of Geoffrey de Geneville (c.1226–1314)' SCRIPted, 39 (2) :53-75.
    2009 Michael Potterton, Edel Bhreathnach, Elizabeth O’Brien, Elva Johnston, Anthony Corns, Michael Ann Bevivino, John McAuley & Evin McCarthy (2009) 'Mapping Death: burials, boundaries and territories in Ireland, first to eighth centuries AD' TEA: The European Archaeologist, (31) :16-17.
    2005 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2005) 'Feeding Dublin: investigating the hinterland of Dublin in the medieval period' Heritage Outlook, Winter 2005/spring 2006 :13-13.
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 2003' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 8 (1) :273-277.
    2003 Michael Potterton (2003) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 2002' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 7 (1) :227-231.
    2002 Michael Potterton (2002) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 2001' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 6 (1) :227-231.
    2001 Michael Potterton (2001) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 2000' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 5 (1) :208-215.
    2000 Michael Potterton (2000) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 1999' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 4 (1) :224-230.
    1999 Michael Potterton (1999) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 1998' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 3 (1) :225-229.
    1998 Michael Potterton and John Bradley (1998) 'Annual directory of information on archaeology in the Irish parliament (Oireachtas Éireann) 1997' British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography, 2 (1) :218-221.

    Conference Contribution

    Year Publication
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) From caput to caput: the rise and fall of medieval Ferns, c.600–c.1600 Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation, University College Dublin Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation, University College Dublin, 25/11/2022-25/11/2022.
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) Looking back on Trim in the Middle Ages Maynooth University Retired Staff Association Trim, Co. Meath, 01/12/2022-01/12/2022.
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) Towns in medieval Ireland Archaeological Institute of America & Cultural Tourism Ireland Slane, Co. Meath, 06/09/2021-06/09/2021.
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) ’Picking up the Pieces: The Moynagh Lough Excavation Project, Phase 3’ Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 05/09/2022-05/09/2022.
    2022 Michael Potterton, Jim Galloway and Margaret Murphy (2022) Town and Country in Later Medieval Ireland, c.1170–c.1600 Irish Historic Towns Atlas Annual Seminar Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, 13/05/2022-13/05/2022.
    2020 Michael Potterton (2020) Anglo-Norman castles in Ireland, c.1170–c.1320 Lancaster University History Research Seminar Series, 2020–1 Lancaster University, 16/03/2020-.
    2020 Michael Potterton (2020) Pottery in medieval Dublin and its region, c.1150–1300 Pre-Modern Towns Conference 2020: ‘Material Culture and the Pre-Modern Town Birkbeck College, London, 25/01/2020-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Early castles in Ireland Carrig 850 Summer Lecture Series Wexford Library, 18/07/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Moynagh Lough Crannog: the story of a long-lost ‘island’ and prehistoric settlement site UCD Archaeology Society Dublin, 05/11/2020-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Trim in the time of Geoffrey de Geneville Blackfriary Archaeology Field School Trim, Co. Meath, 09/03/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Some archaeological evidence for international trade in Irish towns in the Middle Ages International Commission for the History of Towns Budapest, Hungary, 20/09/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Looking back on medieval Trim Blackfriary Archaeology Field School Trim, Co. Meath, 25/07/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) The medieval church at Ardrass, Co. Kildare, and its wider context Celbridge Historical Society Celbridge Library, Co. Kildare, 04/03/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) Wexford, Britain and the Continent in the later Middle Ages: evidence for contact and trade Carrig 850 Conference, Irish National Heritage Park Ferrycarrig, Co. Wexford, 18/10/2019-.
    2019 Michael Potterton (2019) The Archaeology of Anglo-Norman Overseas Trade in Ireland National Museum of Ireland, Lunchtime Lecture Series National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin, 02/10/2019-.
    2018 Michael Potterton (2018) An Irish Renaissance? Contact between Ireland and the European Continent in the sixteenth century State University of New York: Brockport, USA The Maynooth Lecture, 30/10/2018-.
    2018 Michael Potterton (2018) Moynagh Lough: the story of a long-lost royal island and prehistoric settlement site Archaeological Institute of America Trim Castle Hotel, Co. Meath, 19/06/2018-.
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) Trowelling back the years: what has archaeology taught us about medieval Trim? Archaeology Ireland Conference Dublin Castle, .
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) Feeding medieval Dublin: the hinterland of Ireland’s capital Archaeological Institute of America and Cultural Tourism Ireland Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) Urban defences in medieval Ireland Illuminating Heritage Seminar Athy Heritage Centre Museum, Co. Kildare, .
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) Anglo-Norman castles in Ireland Kilbarron Terryglass Historical Society Terryglass Hall, Co. Tipperary, .
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) Unearthing the past: archaeological excavations at Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath Maynooth University: Department of History Postgraduate Seminar Maynooth University, .
    2016 Michael Potterton and Brian Ayers (2016) The church in two regional capitals: Kilkenny and Norwich Irish Historic Towns Atlas seminar Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, .
    2016 Michael Potterton (2016) Town development in Ireland under the Anglo-Normans County Kildare Archaeological Society Kilcullen Heritage Centre, Co. Kildare, .
    2016 Michael Potterton (2016) The monastic town in Ireland: fact or fiction? Slattery Lecture Series Carlow College, Co. Carlow, .
    2015 Michael Potterton (2015) Feeding the city: Dublin and its hinterland in the Middle Ages Department of History Postgraduate Seminar Maynooth University, .
    2014 Michael Potterton (2014) Looking back on medieval Trim Irish Archaeological Field School Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2014 Michael Potterton (2014) Trim in international context: the medieval Mortimers Mortimer Society (UK) Dublin, .
    2014 Michael Potterton (2014) Heritage Week The medieval town of Trim Office of Public Works Head Quarters, .
    2013 Michael Potterton (2013) Caput: the rise and fall of medieval Trim, Co. Meath Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2012 Michael Potterton (2012) Staying in Trim: Geoffrey de Geneville (c.1226–1314) and French connections in late medieval Ireland French Across Borders (1200–1600): cultural and political exchanges East Carolina University, North Carolina, USA, .
    2012 Michael Potterton (2012) Verging on a Renaissance? Contact between Ireland and the Continent in the sixteenth century Space and Settlement in the Middle Ages conference Trinity College Dublin, .
    2012 Michael Potterton (2012) Discovering Dublin – the medieval city and its hinterland: archaeological evidence UCD Archaeology Postgraduate Seminar University College Dublin, .
    2011 Michael Potterton (2011) Feeding the city: Dublin and its hinterland in the Middle Ages UCD Archaeology Society University College Dublin, .
    2011 Michael Potterton (2011) Communicating archaeology: printed publications Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland/National Roads Authority forum on Communicating Archaeology Galway, .
    2010 Michael Potterton (2010) Rural settlement in medieval Meath Lismullin Heritage Series Lismullin Conference Centre, Co. Meath, .
    2010 Michael Potterton (2010) Defence and fortification in the Dublin Region, c.1170–c.1650 Fingal County Council and the Discovery Programme Seminar Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin, .
    2010 Michael Potterton (2010) “A soil gnarled by ploughs”? Tara in AD1210 Annual Tara Lecture Series Tara, Co. Meath, .
    2009 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2009) Agriculture in Tara and its hinterland, AD1200–1650 Tara Symposium University College Dublin, .
    2009 Michael Potterton and Michael Ann Bevivino (2009) The Mapping Death Project Archaeology Society, NUI Galway NUI Galway, .
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) An overview of burials, religious conversion and external influences in early Ireland Mapping Death Symposium Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Dublin, .
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) The archaeology of the Pale boundary Dublin and the Pale in the Renaissance Seminar Trinity College Dublin, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) Geoffrey de Geneville (c.1226–1314) and his career in Ireland Dublin Medieval Society Trinity College Dublin, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) Brú na Bóinne in the medieval and post-medieval periods (to c.1700): a research agenda Public seminar on developing a research strategy for Brú na Bóinne Slane, Co. Meath, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) “Fensible in fastness of ditches and castles”: the archaeology of the English Pale Sixteenth-Century Society Conference St Louis, Missouri, USA, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) The Mapping Death Project: summary and future directions Mapping Death Symposium University College Dublin, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) Medieval Trim: the known and the unknown Uncovering Trim Town Seminar Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) Archaeological research in the twenty-first century Wellington College: Presentation to A-Level students Wellington College, Berkshire, UK, .
    2007 Michael Potterton (2007) Commercial intercourse between medieval Dublin and its hinterland International Medieval Congress University of Leeds, UK, .
    2007 Michael Potterton (2007) The archaeology, history and cultural heritage of Ireland Odyssey Tours (Australia & New Zealand) Holiday Inn, Pearse St., Dublin, .
    2007 Michael Potterton (2007) Champagne Crusaders: French connections in thirteenth-century Meath International Congress on Medieval Studies Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, .
    2006 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2006) Settlement and society in the hinterland of medieval Dublin Annual Conference of the Society for Medieval Archaeology Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo, .
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) Trim and the medieval lordship of Meath International Medieval Congress University of Leeds, UK, .
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) Standards of living in medieval Dublin and its hinterland Cork Archaeological and Historical Society Crawford Gallery, Cork, .
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) Town development under the Anglo-Normans Kilmallock Walled Towns Conference Kilmallock, Co. Limerick, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Queen’s University Belfast Archaeology and Palaeoecology Postgraduate Seminar Rural settlement in the medieval Dublin region Queen’s University Belfast, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) The archaeology of Meath Dunshaughlin Community College, Co. Meath Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) The Dublin Module of the Discovery Programme’s Medieval Rural Settlement Project European Association of Archaeologists’ 11th Annual Meeting Cork, .
    2005 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2005) Feeding the city: reconstructing diet, lifestyle and health in medieval Dublin Archaeology Ireland conference on ‘Food, culture and identity’ University College Dublin, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) All creatures great and small: the animals of medieval Trim Annual General Meeting of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society Public Library, Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Early castle-building in medieval Ireland East Carolina University Medieval Irish History and Archaeology Lecture Series, 2005–7 Greenville, North Carolina, USA, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Talking heads: learning from dead bodies British Association for the Advancement of Science annual Festival of Science Trinity College Dublin, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Trim Castle, Co. Meath: the historical archaeology of an Irish castle Appalachian State University: Presentation to Medieval Studies Seminar Appalachian State University—Boone, North Carolina, USA, .
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) Bone and antler as raw materials in medieval Ireland Ruralia VI: Arts and Crafts in Medieval Rural Environments Szentendre-Dobogókő, Hungary, .
    2004 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2004) Rural settlement in the medieval Dublin region: interdisciplinary approaches Mícheál Ó Cléirigh Institute for the Study of Irish History and Civilisation University College Dublin, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) An introduction to the history and culture of Ireland Odyssey Tours (Australia & New Zealand) Holiday Inn, Pearse St., Dublin, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) What can pottery tell us about commercial interaction in Ireland in the Middle Ages Rathmichael Summer Lecture Series on Archaeology Shankill, Co. Dublin, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) What is archaeology? St Dympna’s National School, Kildalkey, Co. Meath Kildalkey, Co. Meath, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) Archaeology and local history St Finnian’s College, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) Pottery as evidence for interaction and trade in medieval Ireland International Medieval Congress University of Leeds, UK, .
    2004 Michael Potterton (2004) The medieval town and liberty of Trim, Co. Meath Trinity College Dublin History Postgraduate Seminar Trinity College Dublin, .
    2004 Michael Potterton and Margaret Murphy (2004) Standards of Living in the medieval Dublin region: documentary and archaeological approaches Friends of Medieval Dublin Symposium Trinity College Dublin, .
    2003 Michael Potterton (2003) The castle and town of Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland 38th International Congress on Medieval Studies Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA, .
    2003 Michael Potterton (2003) Life and Death in the Middle Ages St Andrew’s College, Booterstown, Co. Dublin Booterstown, Co. Dublin, .
    2003 Michael Potterton (2003) Feeding Dublin: recent research on the hinterland of the medieval city University of Toronto: New Perspectives in Celtic Archaeology University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, .
    2002 Michael Potterton (2002) The lordship of Meath and the liberty of Trim, Ireland, 1172–1425 3rd International Conference of Medieval and Later Archaeology Basel, Switzerland, .
    2002 Michael Potterton (2002) Daily life in medieval Trim Boyne Adult Education Programme, Boyne Community School Trim, Co. Meath, .
    2001 Michael Potterton (2001) The development of the lordship of Trim, 1172–1494 NUIM Department of Modern History Postgraduate Research Seminar Maynooth, 16/02/2001-.
    2001 Michael Potterton (2001) The archaeology of medieval Trim, Co. Meath NUIM Department of Modern History Postgraduate Research Seminar Maynooth, 06/12/2001-.

    Article

    Year Publication
    2017 Michael Potterton (2017) The Anglo-Norman town. [Article] [Link]

    Newsletter

    Year Publication
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 32. [Newsletter]
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 31. [Newsletter]
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 30. [Newsletter]
    2008 Michael Potterton (2008) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 29. [Newsletter]
    2007 Michael Potterton (2007) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 28. [Newsletter]
    2007 Michael Potterton (2007) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 27. [Newsletter]
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 26. [Newsletter]
    2006 Michael Potterton (2006) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 25. [Newsletter]
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 24. [Newsletter]
    2005 Michael Potterton (2005) TEA: The European Archaeologist. The newsletter of the European Association of Archaeologists, 23. [Newsletter]

    Gov. Report or Document

    Year Publication
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site: research framework. Kilkenny: [Gov. Report or Document]

    Podcast

    Year Publication
    2022 Michael Potterton (2022) Moynagh Lough. Dublin: [Podcast] [Link]

    Pamphlet

    Year Publication
    2009 Michael Potterton (2009) Trim in the Middle Ages: a market town on the River Boyne. Bray: [Pamphlet]
    Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

    Professional Associations

    Description Function From / To
    Society of Antiquaries of London Fellow 02/01/2011 -
    Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Member 01/01/2002 -
    American Society of Irish Medieval Studies Member 02/01/2006 -
    Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland Member 01/01/2003 -
    Forum for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Ireland Member 01/01/2010 -
    Meath Archaeological and Historical Society Member 01/01/1998 -

    Honors and Awards

    Date Title Awarding Body
    01/01/2011 Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London Society of Antiquaries of London
    01/01/2023 Nominated for Teaching Award Maynooth University
    01/11/2022 Archaeology Legacy Grants Scheme (Moynagh Lough Project) Royal Irish Academy
    01/09/2022 International Commission for the History of Towns Conference Meath County Council
    01/01/2022 Town–Country relations in Ireland Marc Fitch Fund
    01/01/2022 Moynagh Lough Project Creative Ireland
    01/09/2022 Moynagh Lough Project Conference 2022 MU Dept. History Research Incentivisation Fund
    01/09/2022 Moynagh Lough Project Conference 2022 Meath County Council
    01/01/2022 Moynagh Lough Project MU Dept. History Research Incentivisation Fund
    01/01/2021 Moynagh Lough Project Creative Ireland
    01/11/2021 Archaeology Legacy Grants Scheme (Moynagh Lough Project) Royal Irish Academy
    01/01/2020 Nominated for Teaching Award Maynooth University
    01/01/2020 Moynagh Lough Project Creative Ireland
    01/11/2020 Archaeology Research Excavation Grant (Moynagh Lough Project) Royal Irish Academy
    01/11/2019 Archaeology Research Excavation Grant (Moynagh Lough Project) Royal Irish Academy
    01/03/2019 Heritage Grant for Moynagh Lough Project Meath County Council
    01/03/2019 Publication Grants for Towns in Medieval Ireland County Councils (KE, KK, MH, RN, TY, WH, WX, W)
    01/01/2019 Publications Grant for Towns in Medieval Ireland Maynooth University
    01/11/2018 Archaeology Research Excavation Grant (Moynagh Lough Project) Royal Irish Academy
    01/01/2017 Grant for seminar on Towns in Medieval Ireland Irish Walled Towns Network
    01/01/2016 Heritage grant for Moynagh Lough Excavations Project Meath County Council
    01/01/2014 Grant for The church in early medieval Ireland Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2012 Grant for Life and death in Iron Age Ireland Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2011 Bevir Trust grant for Settlement in early medieval Ireland Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland
    01/01/2011 Environment Fund Grant for Life and death in Iron Age Ireland Government of Ireland: Dept. Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
    01/01/2010 Heritage Education and Community Outreach Grant for Settlement in early medieval Ireland Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2009 Unpublished Excavations Grant for Uncovering medieval Trim Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2009 Unpublished Excavations Grant for Rural settlement in medieval Ireland Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2007 Publication Grant for Ireland in the Renaissance, c.1540–1660 Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/01/2005 Publication Grant for Medieval Trim: history and archaeology Heritage Council of Ireland
    01/10/2000 Archival Bursary Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
    01/01/1999 Government of Ireland Scholarship Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
    01/01/1998 Postgraduate Studentship National University of Ireland
    01/01/1994 Erasmus Scholarship University College Dublin

    Committees

    Committee Function From / To
    Moynagh Lough Project Principal Investigator 01/09/2015 -
    International Commission for the History of Towns Board Member 01/01/2018 -
    Kilkenny Archaeological Project Academic Researcher 01/01/2014 -
    Maynooth University SPUR Programme Mentor 01/09/2017 -
    Eolas: the Journal of the American Society for Irish Medieval Studies Reviews Editor 01/01/2006 - 31/12/2009
    TEA: The European Archaeologist Editor 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2010
    Maynooth University Project Live Collaborator 01/09/2020 -
    Urban Archaeology Survey Principal Investigator 01/09/2015 -
    ‘Centering Spenser: A Digital Resource for Kilcolman Castle’, East Carolina University Academic Advisor 01/01/2018 -
    Research Papers in Irish Archaeology Series Editor 01/01/2009 -
    Blackfriary Archaeology Field School, Trim, Co. Meath Academic Advisor 01/01/2012 -
    Maynooth Studies in Local History series Series Editor 01/10/2021 -
    Irish Historic Towns Atlas Chair 01/01/2021 -
    The Medieval Trust Director 01/01/2021 -
    Wilson’s Hospital School Director 01/06/2022 -
    Dublinia Director 01/01/2021 -
    Irish Historic Towns Atlas Board Member 02/01/2017 -
    European Association of Archaeologists Board Member 02/01/2005 - 31/12/2010
    Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Board Member 01/09/2016 -
    Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland Council Member 01/01/2004 - 01/01/2008
    Irish Archaeological Field School Committee Member 01/01/2010 -
    Journal of Irish Archaeology Board Member 01/01/2005 - 31/12/2009

    Employment

    Employer Position From / To
    Four Courts Press Editor 01/05/2009 - 31/08/2015
    The Discovery Programme Senior Research Archaeologist 03/02/2003 - 30/04/2009
    School of Archaeology, University College Dublin Lecturer 01/09/2008 - 30/06/2009
    Department of Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway Temporary Lecturer 01/09/2006 - 30/06/2007
    St Michael’s College, University of Toronto, Canada Visiting Professor 01/01/2003 - 30/06/2003
    Department of History, Maynooth University Occasional Lecturer 01/09/1998 - 31/01/2003
    Université de Paris–IV (La Sorbonne), France Temporary Lecturer 02/09/1996 - 30/06/1997

    Education

    Start date Institution Qualification Subject
    National University of Ireland, Maynooth PhD History
    University College Dublin (NUI) BA (Int.) Archaeology & French

    Languages

    Language Reading Writing Speaking
    English Fluent Fluent Fluent
    French Fluent Functional Functional

    Teaching Interests

    Michael Potterton currently (University Year 2022–2023) provides the following modules:
    FIRST YEAR
    HY121 Introduction to Medieval History: Vikings and Normans (x2 hours per week), 7.5CR core

    SECOND YEAR
    HY224 Settlement and Society: Ireland in the Middle Ages (x2 hours per week) 5CR elective

    HY292 Ireland in Prehistory (x2 hours per week) 5CR elective

    THIRD YEAR
    HY387 Towns in Medieval Ireland (x2 hours per week), 5CR elective

    POSTGRADUATE
    HY649 Medieval Ireland (x2 hours per week), 10CR elective (MA, MPhil, PhD)


    Some of Dr Potterton’s previous teaching is outlined below
    2011: School of Archaeology, UCD. Taught Adult Education courses on ‘The castles of the Dublin region: creating the medieval world’ and (jointly) ‘Expanding horizons: Ireland and the wider world, AD600–1800’ (including fieldtrips).

    2010: School of Archaeology, UCD. Taught Adult Education course on ‘The archaeology of medieval Ireland’.

    2008–2009: Lecturer, School of Archaeology, UCD. Taught courses on ‘Expanding horizons: Ireland, Europe and the Atlantic world, AD800–1800’; ‘The archaeology of identity’; ‘Historical archaeology’ (MA); supervised 7 MAs.

    2006–2007: Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway. Contributed series of lectures to postgraduate, first- and second-year courses; taught complete third-year courses on: ‘Ireland from the Viking Age to the coming of the Anglo-Normans’ and ‘Gaelic and Plantation settlement and society’; supervised 2 MAs.

    2003: Visiting Professor, Department of Celtic Studies, St Michael’s College, University of Toronto (one semester). Taught course on the archaeology and history of medieval Ireland.

    2000–2005: Regular contributor to medieval courses in Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway.

    1996–1997: Temporary Lecturer, Department of English, Université de Paris–IV (La Sorbonne).

    1998–2005, 2009: Occasional Lecturer, Department of History, Maynooth University: designed, co-ordinated and taught 24-lecture courses on ‘Ireland 1014–1400’, ‘Research Methods for Historians’, ‘Irish Historic Settlement’ and ‘The Medieval Irish Town’; contributed to BA in Local and Community Studies Modular Degree Programme, BA in Local and Community Studies (Summer School in University of Wales, Lampeter), Modular Degree Programme (Outreach Campus, Kilkenny), Diploma in Cultural Tourism.

    Current Students

    Student Name Degree Supervision
    PAUL ANDREW STANLEY RESEARCH PH.D. (10)
    SEAN BEARNARD Ó HOIREABHARD RESEARCH PH.D. (10)