A collection of images depicting 16th century Irish people. Although the majority of figures illustrated are soldiers and warriors, there are also some very nice pictures of women, especially by the Flemish artist, Lucas d’Heere. ‘Irish as they stand accoutred being at the service of the late King Henry’, by Lucas d’Heere, circa 1575. Born in […]
This unusual and fantastical beast was discovered in Lismore, Co. Waterford during the 19th century. Fashioned out of bronze, it originally adorned the pointed end of a great drinking-horn. It probably dates from the 7th or 8th centuries AD and appears to depict a stylised bird. The mount measures approximately 9 cm in length and […]
The year 795 AD saw a new force arrive on the Irish political scene, the Vikings. These seaborne warriors were to have a significant impact on Irish life. Their attacks on religious centres and propensity for warfare are well documented, as is their contribution to the development of urban centres and new trade routes. However, something which […]
After the Battle of New Ross in 1798 an ancient blade was prised from the hands of a dead rebel fighter. The unnamed warrior had gone to war not with an iron pike like so many of his compatriots, but something much older. He died clasping a weapon not seen on a battlefield for over […]
In the late 18th century an English writer, Richard Twiss caused consternation in Ireland when his book, ‘A Tour in Ireland in 1775‘, was published. It painted the country and its inhabitants in a very poor light and was widely condemned by the Irish public. However, every cloud has a silver lining and an enterprising […]
Although now called the Liffey[i], in ancient times Dublin’s famous river was known by a different name, An Ruirthech. This loosely translates as ‘the stampeding one’[ii], a name which reflected the watercourse’s propensity to sudden floods of fast flowing water. This was a result of the river’s relatively short distance from source to the sea, […]
A new and very interesting looking exhibition, Traces of the Past, is taking place in Co. Galway during the month of October. The exhibition, which is highlighting the use of remote sensing in archaeology, will be displayed at the The Gallery in The Workhouse, Portumna, Co. Galway between the 1st and 24th of October ( […]
Pangúr Bán is probably the most famous surviving poem from Early Ireland[i]. Composed by an Irish monk sometime around the 9th century AD, the text compares the scholar’s work with the activities of a pet cat, Pangúr Bán. It is now preserved in the Reichnenau Primer at St. Paul’s Abbey in the Lavanttal, Austria. The version detailed below is Robin Flower‘s translation […]
Located in the shadow of Mount Brandon and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cathair na BhFionnúrach is situated on the very western edge of Europe. Accessed via an old, grass covered laneway, the fort consists of a circular, stone-walled enclosure, approximately 29m in diameter. Originally the home of a Gaelic noble or wealthy farmer, it has […]
It often sparks debate on our social media platforms when I share images of Irish artefacts that are housed in foreign museums. Typically people want to know how these objects ended up abroad and why they are not in an Irish museum. This beautiful Late Bronze Age (c. 1200-700 BC) gold disc is one of […]
The Derrinboy armlets are a pair of magnificent gold bracelets that were found deep within a County Offaly bog in 1959. Dating from the Late Bronze Age, these precious artefacts formed part of a small hoard of objects that were discovered by Mr. Patrick McGovern as he was digging turf. The hoard, which was located […]
Dating from the 12th century and decorated in foliate patterns, this small, bronze ball is actually a hand-warmer. Inside the metal sphere, which unscrews into two halves, is an iron cup that held hot charcoal. This clever design allowed the hands to be warmed without getting burnt. Medieval hand-warmers, such as this one, were predominantly […]
Sharing Ireland’s amazing archaeology as well as interesting sites from around the world. A blog by Wexford archaeologist Colm Moriarty.
16th century images of Irish people
The Lismore Drinking-Horn Mount
Some Irish words with Norse Origins
The Irish Rebel and the Ancient Sword
photos of Ireland: Very nice page, thanks for putting it up. You coul...
Colm: Thanks a million for sharing that Michael, I would...
Michael Sheehan: Thank you Colm for a great collection. I well reme...
On a bend of the River Shannon, Ireland’s largest watercourse, a small band of hunter-gathers came to together nearly […]
The Neolithic passage tomb at Newgrange is the most visited archaeological site in Ireland. Over 5000 years old it pre-dates the first phase of […]
The remarkable Broighter hoard, arguably the finest treasure trove of the Irish Iron Age, was discovered on a February evening […]
In 1904 a remarkable archaeological site was uncovered at Oseberg, Norway. It consisted of an astonishingly well-preserved Viking ship […]
I stumbled across a curious 17th century account of an elephant in Dublin city recently. Yes, you read right, an […]
Strolling through some of Dublin streets at the begining of the 18th century, an English visitor to the city […]
