Knowledge, Value and the Celtic Tiger

Abstract

In May 2007 Dublin paid host to the sixth World Archaeological Congress. With over 1,700 delegates, it should have been a glorious opportunity to present Irish archaeology to a global audience, but instead of celebrating the national press ran with a story of alleged compromised standards and corruption in commercial sector archaeology. Controversial excavations on one of Ireland’s major infrastructure projects—the M3 Clonee-North of Kells—were in an advance stage of completion, and pressure groups protesting against the development made it clear that there would be no truce for the sake of our visitors. The opportunity was too important to be missed, and with exquisite timing and skilful management, the news agenda was firmly seized.