Neil Jackman

Director at Abarta Heritage

Originally from the North-West of England, Neil moved to Ireland to work in archaeology in 1999 and has since fallen madly in love with the country, finally becoming an Irish citizen in 2020. Neil has worked on archaeological sites all around Ireland, and has an omnivorous interest in all periods and places – but with a special grá for Neolithic passage tombs, early medieval monastic sites and the Vikings.

Neil’s chief passion is in sharing the wonder of Irish archaeology and heritage sites with the general public. As well as the archaeological publication The Mill at Kilbegly (2013), Neil has written two popular guidebooks to Ireland’s Ancient East (2016) and The Wild Atlantic Way (2018), and a large number of articles in national media publications. Neil has also lectured in Public Archaeology at UCD School of Archaeology and carried out one of Ireland’s largest public archaeology projects at the Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains. Neil has worked on a large number of plans and reports that all seek to connect people to place. Neil is also the host of our Amplify Archaeology Podcast series – an ideal outlet for someone who just loves to chat about the past!

Neil’s favorite site is Skellig Michael – not only is it a truly spectacular early medieval monastic site, but it is also home to Ireland’s largest puffin colony – and if there’s one thing that obsesses Neil more than archaeology it’s puffins!