Michael Gibbons has been guiding families and groups throughout Connemara and the West Coast of Ireland for almost 25 years.
Having Michael as your guide is a unique opportunity for an intimate look at Ireland’s archaeological landscapes, tailor made to your interests and needs. While planning your itineraries in Ireland, contact us and we can reserve your day, he will join you from your accommodation or on your coach and spend the full day with you.
Michael can also organise an illustrated evening lecture at your hotel for your group.
Contact us and we can arrange all the details.
About Michael
Michael Gibbons is one of Ireland’s leading field archaeologists. Born and raised in Clifden, Connemara where he still lives with his family, Michael is a graduate of University College Galway with a degree in History and Archaeology. He is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland with thirty years of experience as an archaeologist and completed a 5 year term on the Archaeology Committee of the Heritage Council. He has worked with the Department of Antiquities in Jerusalem and for the Museum of London City Excavation Programme.
In Ireland, he worked on the Donegal Archaeological Survey and Galway Archaeological Survey before being appointed as co-director of the National Sites and Monuments Record, Office of Public Works for a period of ten years. He has directed surveys and excavations on Croagh Patrick and has mapped the uplands and islands of the Connacht Coast. He is currently serving a term with Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann – The Folklore of Ireland Council.
He currently works in heritage tourism, specializing in academic and cultural tourism to the Boyne Valley and the West of Ireland. Michael has extensive experience guiding groups both at home and abroad. As well as Ireland, he has led groups in the Sinai Peninsula, SW Turkey, Peru, the Outer Hebrides and has guided for some of the leading international cultural and activity tourism companies including Butterfield and Robinson and Martin Randall Travel. He remains an archaeologist in private practice, and makes regular contributions to archaeological and historical conferences in Ireland as well as delivering lectures to local archaeological and historical societies and contributing to archaeological and maritime programmes on local and national radio.
Michael is a member of the Nautical Archaeology Society and his current research interests include the archaeology of Irish uplands and islands, in particular the maritime pilgrimage tradition. He has carried out detailed research on some of the most important of these including Skellig Michael World Heritage Site, St MacDara’s Island and Caher Island. Recent archaeological work has included mapping the intertidal zone of the Galway and North-Burren Coast with a particular focus on the prehistoric midden complexes, vernacular quays, harbours and seaweed farms.
Previous Walker’s Testimonials
“One of the most fascinating weeks of my life – a trip back in time… I had been wet, sunburnt, scared, hilarious, fascinated, exhilarated and tipsy.” Linda Duffin, Sky News
“The West of Ireland is still a largely undiscovered wonderland for walkers, and its islands – if not actually fabled Hy-Brasil – beckon with poetic promise of laughter and lovely landscapes, literally the last of Europe.” Rambling TODAY, Roly Smith.
“The West coast of Ireland is a delight for the walker; the perfect combination of dramatic coastline, deserted mountain ranges and windswept islands. Whether you are scrambling along a rocky foreshore, taking in the view from the clifftops, or strolling on a sandy beach, the chances are you will have only the sound of the breaking Atlantic surf for company.”
Outdoor Pursuits, Rob Howard
“Connemara or Conmaicne Mara, where the Conmaicne tribe lived by the sea…has everything to satisfy the walker, big mountains, little mountains, awaymarked trail, coastal walking, botanical, geological and archaeological walks and stupendous scenery.” Walking World, Lucinda Thomson
“For Gibbons, history is only a squint away; tag along on one of his treks and you’ll never look at a peat bog the same way again.” OUTSIDE, Michael Dolan
“Michael Gibbons, archaeologist and raconteur, a lovely talker who made dull rocks sing with history and somehow managed to make bogs interesting, even fascinating.” Christopher Buckley, Forbes FYI
“one of the finest communicators I have ever come across …” Jim Perrin, the Great Outdoors Magazine
“Thank you again for the wonderful trip we made with you from Clifden. The trip was one of the highlights of our vacation in Ireland; it made Connemara special to us.” H & T Kohne, The Netherlands
All these Tours & Walks are privately booked for groups of all sizes, they offer a unique opportunity to explore the hidden landscapes and unlock the archaeological secrets scattered throughout the East & West Coasts of Ireland. Other tours itineraries can be developed and tailor made to explore other areas including, the Aran Islands, The Burren and the Sacred Mountains of Ireland.Contact us and we will be happy to make suggestions to suit your time in Ireland.
Business Information
Address
Michael Gibbons Archaeology Travel Island House Market Street Clifden, Connemara Co Galway. Call: +353 (0) 95 21379
Contact Details
Stay Connected