I recently spotted what appeared to be remarkably modern looking haircuts in Albrecht Druer’s woodcut of 1521 AD[i]. This image shows a group of Irish soldiers[ii], most likely mercenaries, who were fighting on the European continent during the early 1520s. I soon discovered that, far from being unusual, this distinctive hairstyle was actually very popular […]
Recent News Subscribe
Categories:
Archaeologists uncover one of Derry City’s earliest buildings
Archaeologists working in Derry have uncovered the partial remains of a building, which pre-dates the walled city and is believed to have been burnt down during the O’Doherty rising of 1608. All that survives of the building, which was of timber frame construction, with a slate roof, is a stone cellar. When the building burnt down […]
The Shrine of St. Lachtin’s Arm
Saint Lachtin’s Arm is an important religious relic that was associated with Donoughmore church in Co. Cork. Dating from circa 1120 AD, it was made to encase a human bone, purportedly belonging to Saint Lachtin. The shrine’s hereditary guardians were the Healy family and for much of the medieval period they were entrusted with its […]
Ireland’s Ancient Dairy Past Revealed
New research from the University of Bristol has revealed the antiquity of dairy farming in Ireland. Research published today in the Journal of Environmental Archaeology shows that dairying on the island goes back approximately 6,000 years, revealed through traces of ancient dairy fats found in pots dating to around 4,000 to 2,500 BC. Dr Jessica Smyth […]
Revealing a 17th century town: Exciting discoveries at Dunluce, Co. Antrim
A team of archaeologists, which includes Dr. Colin Breen of the University of Ulster and Andrew Gault of the NIEA, are making exciting discoveries at Dunluce, Co. Antrim. This innovative archaeological research programme, which includes volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities, is revealing a wealth of information about an abandoned 17th century town. Located in the shadow of the iconic Dunluce Castle, […]
A pair of Bronze Age Earrings from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon
Although the exact circumstance surrounding the discovery of the Castlerea earrings remains uncertain, it is believed that they were found near the Co. Roscommon town during the 18th century. Probably dating from the end of the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1200 BC), the earrings measure approximately 3.6 cm in diameter. They were fashioned out of small rectangular […]
Guiding ships for 800 years: Hook Lighthouse, Co. Wexford
The iconic Hook Head lighthouse represents one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world. It stands on the very tip of the windswept Hook peninsula in Co. Wexford, overlooking a number of important shipping routes. Circa 800 years old, it was erected in the early 13th century by the great Anglo-Norman magnate, William Marshall, […]
Fragments of an Irish-type reliquary discovered in Norway
Two fragments of a house-shaped reliquary of Irish-type have been found in Norway. Most likely dating from the 7th to 9th centuries AD, the pieces probably represent loot that was stolen during Viking raids on Ireland or Scotland. In early medieval Ireland house-shaped reliquaries were used to store saint’s relics and played an important role in […]
Bronze Age Houses Uncovered in Co. Wexford
Exciting evidence for Bronze Age activity has been uncovered at Drumgood, near Enniscorthy in Co. Wexford. This newly discovered site consists of a very large sub-circular enclosure, inside which, are at least three Bronze Age houses. It was excavated by Graham Hull of TVAS Ltd, who very kindly gave me a tour of the site […]
Ross Errilly Friary, Co. Galway in Photos
I recently visited the impressive ruins of Ross Errilly Friary in Co. Galway. Founded in 1351 AD, it represents one of the finest medieval Franciscan monasteries in Ireland. It is located just outside the small town of Headford, on the banks of the Black River, in area of rolling pasture-land. The friary contains an extensive […]
Neolithic flint axe and preserved wooden handle discovered in Denmark
Another fantastic find by archaeologists working on the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel scheme in Denmark. They have uncovered a Neolithic flint axe that is still held within its wooden handle. The axe was discovered within foreshore silts and these damp, relatively anaerobic conditions helped to preserve the organic handle. A number of other artefacts, including wooden […]
Ranvaik’s Casket, an ornate shrine stolen during Viking raids on Ireland?
Now housed in the Danish National Museum, this beautiful reliquary of Irish-type was most likely stolen during Viking raids on Ireland or Scotland. It dates from the 8th century AD and is made from yew wood encased in decorative panels of bronze and enamel. Somewhat unusually, it contains a runic inscription on its base. This […]
Bronze Age Gold: Treasures from the National Museum of Ireland
A selection of some of the wonderful Bronze Age treasures which are are currently on display at the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin. 1. A Late Bronze Age gold collar from Gleninsheen, Co. Clare, it dates from c. 900-700 BC 2. An Early Bronze Age gold lunula from Ross, Co. Westmeath, it dates […]
Lost and Found: Excavations at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin
Archaeologist Alva Mac Gowan describes the recent exciting discoveries at Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin. On Friday the 19th of September I received an email from an old friend and fellow archaeologist, Antoine Giacometti of Archaeology Plan, which simply read, ‘Call me, I have work for you’. A smile spread across my face as I had just […]
Five-thousand-year-old footprints found in Denmark
Exciting news from Denmark: archaeologists working on the Fehmarn Belt Tunnel scheme, have uncovered evidence for 5,000-year-old human footprints (source Museum Lolland-Falster). The footprints were identified along the edge of an ancient post-and-wattle fish-trap, which was built in an area of coastline that had formerly been occupied by a series of inlets and rivers. At […]
2000-year-old seeds bring an extinct tree back to life
This unassuming looking plant is the only living representative of the Judean Date Palm, a species of tree, which became extinct in antiquity. It was grown from one of a collection of seeds found inside a pottery jar at Masada, a historic mountain fortress in southern Israel. Subsequent radiocarbon analysis of the seeds indicated that they […]
The wonderful 12th century doorway at Killeshin Church, Laois
Located close to the border with Co. Carlow, the small medieval church at Killeshin, Co. Laois contains a remarkable piece of Romanesque architecture. It consists of an elaborately decorated doorway in the western gable wall of the ruined church. Most likely erected between 1150 and 1160 AD, an inscription on the doorway reads ‘Orait […]
About
Sharing Ireland’s amazing archaeology as well as interesting sites from around the world. A blog by Wexford archaeologist Colm Moriarty. Contact: colm@irisharchaeologyshop.com
