Irish Archaeology
Sharing Ireland’s amazing archaeology as well as interesting sites and finds from around the world.
Irish Archaeology Sites
Interesting news from Collooney in Co. Sligo where archaeologists working for Sligo-Leitrim Archaeological Services (on behalf of the National Monuments Service) have discovered an early medieval skeleton in unusual circumstances. The body was identified earlier this year beneath a 200 year old beech tree that had blown down during a storm. Slightly bizarrely, the upper part […]
One of the earliest monastic sites in Ireland, Ardmore, Co. Waterford was probably founded sometime in the 5th century AD by St. Declan. This early Irish saint was associated with the Déisi Muman people of Waterford and his missionary work amongst them may have pre-dated the activities of St. Patrick. His monastery was built on […]
Fierce and wild is the wind to-night, It tosses the tresses of the sea to white; On such a night as this I take my ease; Fierce Northmen only course the quiet seas [Source]. So wrote an Irish monk in the margin of an Irish copy of a Latin and Greek grammar book that he […]
Interesting news from Co. Kerry, where an early medieval tunnel system/souterrain has been uncovered during construction works along the N71 road between Bonane and Glengarrif. Located in Releagh townland, the previously unrecorded tunnel system is cut into the underlying boulder clay/bedrock and contains two internal chambers, which measure circa 4m wide. Also known as souterrains, […]
Exciting research by the LIARI Project has revealed the presence of ‘immigrant’ burials at a Late Iron Age/Early Medieval cemetery in Bettystown, Co. Meath. Excavated over two phases, the Bettystown burial ground contained the remains of circa 70 people who were buried between the 4th and 6th centuries AD (O’Kelly, 1977-79 & Eogan 1998). Specialist analysis of the […]
During the 1980s, when my grandaunt’s house was being renovated, something unusual was found beneath the floor. As the flagstones were lifted, two large horse skulls were revealed near the centre of the room. The house had been built in the 1840s and the horse skulls had laid undisturbed since then. At the time it […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
