North Coast Association of the National Trust

Malachy Conway is an experienced archaeologist, who graduated from the Queen’s University, Belfast, in 1989. He worked in commercial consultancies, a government agency and various academic institutions, before joining the National Trust in its Historic Properties Department at Rowallane House in 2003.

His archaeological interests are wide-ranging and include prehistoric settlements, gardens archaeology and buildings and landscape archaeology.

Downhill Castle is, of course, of special interest to North Coast members, who helped fund the archaeological works there in 2009 and 2010.

Over the two seasons of work, volunteers took part in the clearance, excavation and recording of the twin yards at the northern end of the ruin.

The domestic activities that took place within the yards have been established and a number of finds made, ranging from domestic fittings, sculptural fragments and tiles and, unexpectedly, fragments of a 4000 year old pottery vessel.

The final season of works to the yards will be undertaken in summer 2011, following which it is hoped to allow public access to these previously locked areas.

Malachy’s talk will take place at 8pm in the Best Western Magherabuoy House Hotel, Portrush.

Admission (payable at the door) is 4.00 and includes tea/coffee after the talk. Everyone welcome.