Book Launch: Cois tSiúire and Rubicon’s Work on the Waterford Bypass

​Monday night saw the official launch of Cois tSiúire: 9000 years of human settlement in the Lower Suir Valley, the 8thScheme Monograph to be published by the National Roads Authority (NRA).

. Rubicon were one of the archaeological contractors on the scheme, excavating a number of important sites in this part of Co. Waterford. This is the first in a series of scheme monographs in which we have had an opportunity to publish our work. We were also heavily involved in the visual aspect of the publication, and we were very pleased that the NRA selected Rubicon to format and standardize all the archaeological graphics for the book.

Rubicon MD Colm Moloney, Mayor of Waterford Pat Hayes and Rubicon Director Damian Shiels at the launch of ‘Cois tSuire’

The launch took place in the Large Room of Waterford City Hall, and was hosted by the Chairman and Board of the Waterford Museum of Treasures and the NRA. The evening was opened by James Eogan, NRA Project Archaeologist for the N25 Waterford Bypass Scheme. Subsequent speakers included the Lord Mayor of Waterford, Pat Hayes and the CEO of the National Roads Authority, Fred Barry. The book was officially launched by Dr. Maurice Hurley, one of the leading archaeologists in Ireland.

Dr. Maurice Hurley, Rubicon MD Colm Moloney, CEO of the NRA Fred Barry and Rubicon Director Damian Shiels at the launch of ‘Cois tSuire’

Further entertainment was then provided by Soprano Anna-Marie Doyle, accompanied by Maeve O´Callaghan on piano, performing a touching rendition of Cailín ó chois tSiúire mé (I am a girl from the Suir-side) -a very suitable Irish folk song given the occasion.

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Simon Stronach, NRA Project Archaeologist James Eogan and Rubicon Graphics Manager Jonathan Millar at the launch of ‘Cois tSuire’

Cois tSiúire: 9000 years of human settlement in the Lower Suir Valley is an excellent book, presenting the results of the N25 Waterford Bypass Scheme in a popular and accessible format for public consumption. The monograph contains 148 colour  illustrations and maps and tells the story of the archaeological landscape around Waterford in a refreshing and straightforward style. Rubicon Heritage are proud to have been involved with it, the first of many collaborations in print between the company and the National Roads Authority.

Rubicon Operations Manager Brian MacDomhnaill with Colm ‘I’m not going to touch the red wine’ Moloney, MD of Rubicon at the launch of ‘Cois tSuire’