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This video was produced in 1986 to interpret the 25 field monuments around Dysert Castle for the audio-visual presentation in the castle.

It was written by Risteard UaCroinin who restored the castle for the ODay family of Wisconsin, USA and produced by Pat Costello from Shannon, a regular presenter on Clare FM Radio.  The background traditional music was played by local musicians.

Although it was produced to interpret the fascinating local history of the Parish of Dysert since the Bronze Age, it is actually now a piece of history in itself, showing the area, its people and structures as they were over three decades ago.  Much has changed since.  People have emigrated or passed on, houses have been built and old historic structures, including the castle, restored.

It is a legacy of ancient and modern Irish social history.

This video traces the history and archaeology of Dysert O’Dea, from the air, using new, sophisticated, drone technology.

The script and voice-over is by Risteard UaCroinin, Clare County archaeologist and restorer of Dysert O’Dea Castle, while the design, drone footage, editing and production are by Bert Geoghegan, local professional photographer.

This gives many unique views of the numerous field monuments in the parish, which have never been seen before, views of the tops of Rath and Dysert castles and the 12^th century round tower of Dysert, which up to now were inaccessible.  The video covers monuments, extant, in the parish from the Bronze and Iron ages, through the Early Christian and Viking periods through the invasion of the Anglo-Normans, the Irish victory at Dysert O’Dea in May 1318, the building of Romanesque churches, round towers, high crosses and Gaelic tower houses of the 15^th century to the buildings left by the planters and “soup schools” of The Great Famine of “Black 47”.

It is a fascinating fly-through of the history and architectural heritage of a small western Parish – a microcosm of the History of Ireland.