The Archaeology of Beliefs and Disbeliefs

 7‐9 February 2020 - Kilkenny

The Irish Post Medieval Archaeology Group (IPMAG) is pleased to announce that its annual conference is being held on 7 to 9 February 2020. In keeping with our alternate location, next year’s conference will take place in Kilkenny City. The theme of the conference is 'The Archaeology of Beliefs and Disbeliefs'. The conference hopes to explore the archaeological and historical aspects of belief systems from the post-medieval period to the modern. Various aspects of material culture, the built environment and indeed landscapes communicate and reinforce beliefs associated with the individual and society at large. Belief systems can structure behaviours and social conventions that inform the prevailing social order, and the norms surrounding the family household, economic relations, religious convictions and political outlook. Such belief systems were undergoing profound and at times traumatic change in the post-medieval period, as evidenced by the Renaissance, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, colonialism and global capitalism.

This call for papers would like to invite proposals which address the conference theme by looking at aspects of Beliefs and Disbeliefs in its widest possible sense. Papers discussing people, places, monuments, artefacts and material culture, theoretical approaches and policy frameworks relating to the theme are most welcome. Papers will be twenty minutes in duration.

Student research (undergraduate or post-graduate) is particularly encouraged in any area of postmedieval cultural heritage studies. This is specifically to encourage new research and to provide a space to gain experience of public speaking in a friendly and collegiate atmosphere.

 Please submit proposals, title and a 200 word abstract along with a short biography to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

IPMAG is a voluntary not-for-profit organisation, and unfortunately cannot cover speakers’ conference fees, travel or any other related expenses. Speakers will be offered free attendance at the Conference Dinner as a token of appreciation from IPMAG.

Deadline for submission is on or before Friday 15 November, 2019.

***

IPMAG XX Indicative Programme Outline: Friday 7 February: tour of St Mary’s Church, conference launch, keynote address, wine reception at Rothe House. Saturday 8 February: paper sessions, AGM, followed by afternoon tour of Renaissance Kilkenny, evening conference dinner at venue TBC. Sunday 10 February: paper sessions, conference close.

Fees: IPMAG members €35; non-members €60; concession €27.50. IPMAG annual subscription €20.

Accommodation: The conference venue, the River Court Hotel, offers accommodation and there is a special conference rate on a limited number of double rooms £160; & single rooms £150. Rooms will be held until Friday 27 December at conference rate. See www.rivercourthotel.com. There is a wide range of accommodation in close proximity to the venue – more options here.

Reviews of the 2003-2013 Conferences