Category: Archaeology blogs
Immigrant burials in Late Iron Age Meath
Recent research has revealed the presence of ‘immigrant’ burials at a Late Iron Age/Early Medieval Meath.
Weather Beaten Archaeology: IT Sligo to host new Archaeology Conference
New archaeological sites, uncovered during the winter storms of the last two years, will be the subject of a special…
‘Butter-Making and the Evil One’. Folklore from Co. Wexford
This folklore account details the superstitions surrounding butter churning and the belief that butter could be stolen by supernatural means….
Mummified Monk Found Inside Chinese Buddha Statue
A remarkable study carried out recently in the Netherlands has revealed that a Chinese’s Buddha statue actually contains the remains…
The Domhnach Airgid, an Early Irish Book Shrine
The Domhnach Airgid (silver church) is an ornate shrine, fashioned out of silver and bronze that was intended to hold…
Gallagh Man, a bog body from Co. Galway
In 1821 members of the O’Kelly family made a gruesome discovery as they dug turf near their home at Gallagh,…
Islamic coins found in a Viking Age grave from Norway
Archaeologists have uncovered a Viking Age grave in Skaun, Norway that most likely contained the remains of a warrior. The…
Buried Horse Skulls: Folklore and Superstition in Early Modern Ireland
During the 1980s, when my grandaunt’s house was being renovated, something unusual was found beneath the floor. As the flagstones…
John Derricke’s Images of Ireland, 1581 AD
Below are a selection of images taken from John Derricke’s The Image of Irelande, with a Discoverie of Woodkarne, which…
New foundation aims to preserve Irish folklore heritage
The National Folklore Foundation (Fondúireacht Bhéaloideas Éireann), a new UCD company with charitable status, has been set up to preserve, protect…