The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA and the Institute of Field Research present a public lecture:Medieval Ireland: An Overview of 1,000 Years from the Archaeological and Historical RecordDr. Stephen MandelVice Chairperson of the Royal Irish Academy Committee for ArchaeologyThe Medieval Period in Ireland is often defined in terms of specific events, from St Patrick lighting the Pascal fire to bring Christianity in 432 AD to the first Viking Raids on Lambay Island in 795 AD to the Anglo-Norman invasion led by Strongbow in 1169 AD.  However, whilst these dates dominate the discourse, in isolation they are a simplistic classification and can take focus from a far more complex story.  This presentation will give an overview of the medieval history of Ireland through the archaeological and historical record, demonstrating that this small island nation has always held significance far greater than its size.