4 Comments on A Bronze Age Gold Disc from Co. Wexford
Continue Reading... A Bronze Age Gold Disc from Co. Wexford

A Bronze Age Gold Disc from Co. Wexford

It often sparks debate on our social media platforms when I share images of Irish artefacts that are housed in…

4 Comments on A Pair of Late Bronze Age Gold Bracelets from Co. Offaly
Continue Reading... A Pair of Late Bronze Age Gold Bracelets from Co. Offaly

A Pair of Late Bronze Age Gold Bracelets from Co. Offaly

The Derrinboy armlets are a pair of magnificent gold bracelets that were found deep within a County Offaly bog in…

6 Comments on A Twelfth Century Hand-Warmer
Continue Reading... A Twelfth Century Hand-Warmer

A Twelfth Century Hand-Warmer

Dating from the 12th century and decorated in foliate patterns, this small, bronze ball is actually a hand-warmer. Inside the…

Skull 7 Comments on The Curious Tale of the Mouse, the Skull and the Saint’s Curse
Continue Reading... The Curious Tale of the Mouse, the Skull and the Saint’s Curse

The Curious Tale of the Mouse, the Skull and the Saint’s Curse

In 1070 AD[i] the forces of Turlough O’Brien (Toirdhealbhach Ua Briain), king of Munster, raided the great monastery at Clonmacnoise…

9 Comments on Grotesques and Gargoyles: A Modern Twist
Continue Reading... Grotesques and Gargoyles: A Modern Twist

Grotesques and Gargoyles: A Modern Twist

For this weeks Friday fun I have shown a number of grotesques and gargoyles that have undergone modern twists, often…

16 Comments on Sacred Trees in Early Ireland
Continue Reading... Sacred Trees in Early Ireland

Sacred Trees in Early Ireland

I recently described how the forces of Brian Bóruma, king of Munster, attacked and destroyed a sacred grove of trees…

14 Comments on 16th century Irish Hipsters
Continue Reading... 16th century Irish Hipsters

16th century Irish Hipsters

I recently spotted what appeared to be remarkably modern looking haircuts in Albrecht Druer’s woodcut of 1521 AD[i]. This image…

5 Comments on Through the millennia: Irish Archaeology in photos
Continue Reading... Through the millennia: Irish Archaeology in photos

Through the millennia: Irish Archaeology in photos

Here is another selection of  amazing images from our Photography Competition, this time spanning the entire breadth of Irish archaeology. Don’t…

1 Comment on Foreign Fields: Photos of World Archaeological Sites
Continue Reading... Foreign Fields: Photos of World Archaeological Sites

Foreign Fields: Photos of World Archaeological Sites

Here is a selection of some of the brilliant images that have been entered into our Photography Competition, this time…

8 Comments on Castles and Abbeys: Medieval Ireland in Photos
Continue Reading... Castles and Abbeys: Medieval Ireland in Photos

Castles and Abbeys: Medieval Ireland in Photos

Here is a selection of some of the fantastic images that have been entered into our Photography Competition, this time…