On Wednesday, 4 December, Athy Library became a hub of history, community, and celebration as we gathered for the official launch of Landscapes with Lineage, authored by Colm Moloney, Patricia Long, and Ros Ó Maoldúin , and published by Wordwell Ltd as part of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Heritage Series.
This event marked the culmination of years of archaeological work carried out along the M9 motorway in south Kildare, an extraordinary project that led to the discovery of 97 previously unknown archaeological sites, revealing a complex palimpsest of human activity in this landscape that spans almost 9,000 years.
This publication was made possible through strong collaboration between Rubicon Archaeology, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Kildare County Council, showcasing how infrastructure projects can meaningfully enhance our understanding of Ireland’s cultural landscape.
An Evening of Insight and Storytelling
The night opened with a warm welcome from our compere, Joe Boland, of Kildare County Council, who set the tone for an engaging and reflective event.
Guests then enjoyed insightful talks from:
- Colm Moloney, co-author and founder of Rubicon Archaeology, offering reflections on the scale, complexity, and significance of the excavations
- Patricia Long , co-author and Director at Rubicon Archaeology, who introduced the book and shared the stories and discoveries that shaped its creation
- Dr. Sharon Greene, providing wider archaeological context and expert perspectives
- Rónán Swan of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, highlighting TII’s commitment to integrating heritage into national infrastructure
Each speaker brought a unique lens to the story, emphasising the importance of collaboration, research, and long-term vision in uncovering and preserving Ireland’s archaeological record.
A Special Thank You
A particular word of thanks goes to the National Museum of Ireland , who generously facilitated the display of several key artefacts from the M9 excavations. Their support enabled attendees, and the wider public, to experience these finds first-hand, offering a tangible and powerful connection to the people who lived in south Kildare thousands of years ago. This display underscored the true significance of the project and enriched the launch in a remarkable way.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Landscapes with Lineage is an important addition to Irish archaeological scholarship. It illuminates the landscapes, communities, and cultural practices that shaped this region over millennia, and highlights the modern partnerships that help bring these stories to the public.
A sincere thank you to everyone who attended and to all those across Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Kildare County Council, Rubicon Archaeology, Wordwell Ltd, and the National Museum of Ireland whose collaboration and dedication made this project and its celebration possible.
A special acknowledgement must go to James Eogan and Lynda McCormack of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, whose outstanding work and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing this event together. Their commitment, coordination, and enthusiasm behind the scenes ensured a seamless and memorable launch, and we are deeply grateful for their incredible efforts.