FERGAL O’SHEA

Tertiary education:

NCEA National Certificate in Health & Fitness, Tralee Institute of Technology, Co. Kerry 1994-1996

Archaeological career (and heritage related projects):

Employed with TVAS (Ireland) Ltd since 2005, with additional heritage-related projects
2005-Present: Post-excavation Materials Manager, TVAS (Ireland) Ltd
Samples processing - sieving, database maintenance & archiving, materials inventory & storage
Supervision of sieving staff & assisting with finds processing
Preparation of dateable materials for specialist analysis
Projects Include:

N7 Nenagh-Limerick HQDC (post-excavation)
Limerick Southern Ring Road Phase II (excavation, post-excavation)
N18 Ennis Bypass (post-excavation & museum displays)
N21 Castleisland Bypass (post-excavation)
Clare Abbey (excavation, post-excavation)
Myriad of smaller assessment, excavation and monitoring projects
Assisting w/report production - autocad, figure production, photo plates etc
. 2006-Present: Director, Elphene’s Coffee Consultancy & Arts Management Ltd

Consultant for existing small cafe/food Businesses, Arts/Craftspeople, and local Producers
Barista training & food service techniques, hygiene training, costings & menu ideas
Training for small-scale Producers - stall set-up, packaging, pricing etc
Host exhibitions & heritage events in existing business spaces
2005-2003: Stonemason
Stonework - Restoration & Conservation projects eg. restoration of the gate lodge at Culainn, near Craggaunowen, renovation of a 1920’s farmhouse in Co. Limerick,
outhouses conversion to holiday time share accommodation in Daingean, Co. Clare
Construction of houses, garages & extensions- rural & urban
Stone wall building (Co. Clare)
2005-2004: Trading Member- Ennis Farmers’ Market (Fri) & Killaloe Farmers’ Market (Sun))
’Good for Dogs’ Biscuits, hot spiced apple drink, granola
2003: Archaeological Assistant - Archaeological Director: Christine Grant, Corofin, Co. Clare
Kilcorney, in the Burren, Co. Clare- careful excavation of an exposed cist burial within a cairn
Caherconnell Visitor Centre, Co. Clare- recorded (drawn) the entranceway of Caherconnell cashel,
prior to the placement of access bridge over the original entrance
2003: Archaeological Assistant - Judith Carroll & Company, Archaeological Director: Ken Wiggins
Kildimo, Co. Limerick- excavation of sites prior to housing development construction
2002-1997: Molex Ireland Ltd, Shannon, Co. Clare
Production Planner - Liason between Senior Management, Planning Department & Production Floor,
ensure production targets were met, maintain production databases, etc
Shift Supervisor - supervise diverse work staff running thirty-six machines, quality assurance
Toolsetter, Stamping Dept - machine tool set-up, maintenance & repair

Experience:

Five years field experience in Ireland - excavation, assessment, monitoring & post-excavation
Mainly rural, Prehistoric to Post Medieval
Three years post-excavation work in Ireland- Samples processing, database creation and storage
GAA Referee (Réiteoir)- active participant in the Community & its cultural identity, self initiative

Professional qualifications:

Autocad 2007 Fundamentals- Procad Training, Raheen, Limerick Nov 2006
Desktop Publishing - Clare County Enterprise Board, Ennis, Co. Clare April 2007
Web Design ‘ECDL Webstarter’ - Clare County Enterprise Board, Ennis, Co. Clare May 2007
Rural & Agri Tourism - Level 5 FETAC Certificate, RRD programme May 2006
Safepass qualification - SMT, Ennis, Co. Clare - Valid from Mar 2007 to Mar 2012
Coiste na Réiteoiri - Certification as a GAA Club Referee (hurling & football) April 2006
Various Courses - Molex Ireland, Shannon, Co. Clare (1997-2002)

- Time & Staff Management, Supervisory Skills Seminar, Health & Safety,
- Quality Control/’Train the Trainer’ courses, SAP Computer Training Program, etc

Publications/ Events (Various):

Clare Museum, Ennis, Co. Clare- assistance w/ museum displays:

• N18 Ennis Bypass artefacts exhibition, in conjunction with a series of lectures
• N18 Ennis Bypass ‘findings’ exhibition, coordinated the artefacts display w/final report information & its availability online to general public (www.clarelibrary.com)
• Clare Abbey artefacts, coincided w/ lecture for Shannon Archaeological & Historical Society
• Caherconnell cashel in the Burren, Co. Clare, showcasing artefacts & findings from research excavation, to highlight upcoming excavations during Heritage Week 2008