Humans have been building dwellings, monuments and structures for millennia. The surviving upstanding and below ground archaeological remains of ancient buildings give us clues into the social, cultural and religious motives of their builders. From the earliest sod, clay and timber structures to those built in stone and brick, we see a confidence in construction evolving over time resulting in larger built structures and monuments forms such as the Irish Round Tower, Ireland's skyscraper of the first millennium A.D. This module will explore what was built, why and how they were built in medieval and post medieval Ireland from AD400 to 1900.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of material construction across building types and settlement forms in Medieval and Post Medieval Ireland.

2. Explain the evidence for changing settlement patterns, forms and building types in Early Medieval Ireland.

3. Explain the evidence for changing settlement patterns, forms and building types in Later Medieval Ireland.

4. Explain the evidence for changing settlement patterns, forms and building types in Post Medieval Ireland.

5. Demonstrate skill in researching and presenting archaeological and architectural evidence in written format.

This module provides students with an introduction to historic building recording and conservation. It explores the origins of historic building conservation both internationally and nationally and the philosophy behind this. It examines the guiding principles and best practice utilised in their conservation. The module explains the terminology used in recording historic monuments and buildings critical to understanding and mapping dateable changes in historic fabric. The best practice, taught methodological procedure to recording historic buildings is central to the module. The legislative framework protecting historic monuments and the built environment is reviewed. The funding mechanisms and agencies involved with historic building conservation nationally are examined.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the origins and philosophy behind historic building conservation.

2. Explain the principles governing historic building conservation.

3. Demonstrate familiarity with architectural periods, styles and architectural features across various building types and classifications.

4. Summarise the legislative protection underpinning the conservation and preservation of historic monuments and stone buildings in Ireland and understand the funding mechanisms supporting them.

5. Demonstrate skill in researching, organising, describing and recording historic buildings in written, visual and oral formats.

This module introduces students to the principal mechanisms of deterioration and decay in historic buildings, with practical conservation steps explained to offset continuing decay. The methodological approach to assessing stone buildings and monuments is examined with a view to understanding the steps towards preparing a management plan for their protection and conservation. The concept of sustainability is reviewed in managing historic monuments and the built environment in Ireland.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the methodological approach for assessing stone monuments and ruinous buildings in Ireland.

2. Examine the mechanisms of physical decay and deterioration in archaeological and architectural stone monuments and buildings in Ireland.

3. Evaluate the vulnerabilities in historic monuments and stone buildings in Ireland.

4. Prioritise and plan a strategy towards the repair and protection of Ireland’sbuilt heritage.

5. Demonstrate skill in researching, organising, describing and recording historic buildings in written, visual and oral formats.