Archaeologists have downed trowels in the first of a threatened series of nationwide work stoppages sparked by a row between their union and the company which employs them.

“While the results of our surveys have exceeded all expectations, they have also revealed that Vinegar Hill has been extensively stripped by illegal [metal] detectorists, and impacted mby various developments, both of which have had a profound and detrimental impact on our knowledge,” said Ronan O’Flaherty.

Early results from a technical examination of a suspected mass grave in Co Clare have revealed “significant” evidence of underground disturbances, consistent with the presence of human remains.

An archaeological survey has shown that the people of Tralee were fascinated by the “pale moon rising” almost 2,000 years before the Victorian ditty that has come to symbolise their world-famous festival.