I am very pleased to be associated with this resource pack Archaeology in the Classroom – It’s About Time.
My Department has been responsible for the conservation of our archaeological heritage since late 2002. To safeguard this resource it is crucial that people are aware of the wealth of cultural heritage that surrounds them. What better way to raise this awareness than to tap into the natural inquisitiveness of children and open up to them an appreciation of the history and archaeology of their local environment.
This is also the aim of the new Social, Environmental and Scientific Education curriculum for primary education, particularly in the subject area of History. With the expert advice and assistance of Limerick Education Centre and the Primary Curriculum Support Programme this pack has been devised to promote the preservation through education of our archaeological heritage using the medium of the revised Primary School Curriculum.

I am particularly happy to see that this resource pack places such an emphasis on practical work and relates learning to the children’s local environment and their own personal experiences. By any standards Ireland is rich in the physical remains of the past in the form of archaeological monuments and artefacts. These range from 6000-year-old megalithic tombs to earthen ringforts, castles, town walls, churches and other buildings of more recent date. These provide a wonderful link
to the past and are to be found in every corner of the country. It is important that this valuable cultural legacy is understood and cherished, and that this appreciation is passed on to future generations.
An important objective for my Department is to develop key inter-relationships in respect to heritage matters with other Government Departments. I would, therefore, like to warmly acknowledge the collaboration of the Department of Education and Science in the production of Archaeology in the Classroom – It’s About Time.
I would like to congratulate all involved in the production of this splendid resource. It is an example of what can be done when the partnership principle is pursued. I would like to mention my own departmental staff, particularly Denis Power and Matt Kelleher of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Section, who have been involved with this project from its beginning.