Volunteers dig for ghost of house

Dr John O'Keefe, left, and Malachy Conway in Castle Ward

A fresh dig in Northern Ireland is offering volunteers the chance to uncover the old world under their feet.

Would-be archaeologists can get down and dirty with the professionals in a dig in Castle Ward, County Down, this summer.

Last year, they excavated the ruins of the Queen Anne house, which was demolished in the 1850s.

Hand-made bricks and Connemara marble from the original building were uncovered.

Prehistoric tools including flint arrow heads were also unearthed.

This year, the archaeologists are hoping to find even more. It is a unique dig - offering volunteers the chance to work alongside professionals.

So far, 44 people have asked to join in - the oldest is 87 and the youngest is just seven - he insisted that his mother take him along.

Survey archaeologist Malachy Conway said: "Last year, with the help of volunteers, we excavated across the line of the house, we found its walls, we found its cellar... the house literally collapsed in on itself.

"One of the key things we want to achieve this year is to establish the outline of building."

It is this sense of being part of a team who are revealing the history under our feet Dr John O'Keefe

The archaeologists intend to leave markers on the ground so that people can actually walk through the ghost of a house which is long gone.

Dr John O'Keefe from the NI Environment Agency said the project, which also involves the National Trust and Queen's Centre for Archaeological Field Work, was about allowing people to get their hands dirty and work with archaeologists.

"Most people enjoy the sense of discovery at an archaeological site. You might find something that hasn't been seen for decades or for hundreds or even thousands of years," he said.

"It is this sense of being part of a team who are revealing the history under our feet."

The organisers ask that those interested in taking part contact the National Trust and fill out a registration form. No experience is required.