THE InoNI Aer

Enrr,toNN P. fulrv

he Iron Age in Ireland is not just a period that saw the introduction of a new
metalworking technology; it is also a period during which objects were
made and decorated using an art style that, in Britain and on the continent,
is associated with Celtic peoples. At the end of the Iron Age when Ireland entered into
the historic al era its population spoke a Celtic language and its institutions and
traditions reflect practices that were recorded among Celtic societies elsewhere. Celtic
art was clearly introduced to Ireland but the existing evidence does not support the
notion that this coincided with the introduction of a Celtic language by invading
population groups. It may well be that the use of the Irish language predates the
appearance of Celtic art in Ireland by some considerable length of time; but the
question remains a vexing one that is not possible to answer using archaeological
methodology.
During the Dowris Phase of the Irish Late Bronze Age the appearance of certain
metal artefacts shows that before the end of the seventh century BC cultural influences
reached Ireland from the continental iron-using Hallstatt culture, probably by way of
sourhern Britain. This is evidenced by the appearance of objects having a continental
Hallstatt background, such as a new type of Irish bronze sword and fittings known as
chapes that were used to strengthen the closed ends of sword scabbards. Other
Hallstatt types include two unlocalised cast bronze bracelets of the 'nut-moulded' type
and three others of the same ty?e found in Co. Antrim. A penannular bracelet that has
knobbed terminals, from a hoard discovered in Kilmurry Co. Kerry may also be
included, as may certain rinral objects known as flesh-hooks, the best example of
which was found at Dunaverney, Co. Antrim.
 TREA.,RES oF TIrE N^r]o2:^. MusEUM oF IRELAND

By around about 500 sc the Dowris culture was in major decline in Ireland and
one cause of this may have been the presence of inn-usive peoples who are detected
but faindy in the archaeological record. It was probably around this time that the
technology for the mining, smelting and production of iron artefacts was first
introduced. On the continent at this time, Hallstatt society had been replaced by the
La TEne culture, which is characterised by richly ornamented artefacts in metal, stone
and other media. This ornament is rendered in the mature Celtic art style that
originated in eastern France and the Rhineland during the fifth bentury sC. It is a
highly stylised curvilinear art based mainly on classical vegetable and foliage motifs
such as lea{z palmette forms, vines, tendrils and lotus flowers together with spirals, S-
scrolls, lyre and trumpet shapes. La TBne art was given its greatest expression on the
personal ornaments and weapons of warrior aristocrary and its occurrence in Ireland
a

is generally regarded as confirming the essentially Celtic nature of the island's culture
during the final prehistoric and Early Medievai periods. Many of these finds may be
regarded as casual losses but others appear to have been deposited deliberately in
rinral contexts such as burials and votive deposits in watery locations and at shrines.
Few settlement sites of the Iron Age have been excavated in Ireland and little is
known about the way of life of the ordinary people. That there may have been
considerable continuity of settlement patterns from the Late Bronze Age is suggested
by the use of crann6gs or dwellings on artificial islands in lakes, and lakeside
habitation. A number of ritual sites which were also seats of political power are known,
the most important being Tara, Co. Meath; Cruachain, Co. Roscommon; Emain
Macha, Co. Armagh and Drin Ailinne, Co. Kildare. These were sites that had been of
importance at an earlier time, evidenced at Taraby the presence of extensive funerary
monuments of Neolithic and Bronze Age date. The major Iron Age ritual sites are all
located in the northern half of the country, within the area in which La Tdne
decorated material occurs most frequently. The fortification of coastal promontories
with ramparts placed of land appears to be a new type of site.
across narrow necks
Called promontory forts, sites such as Drumanagh Fort on the north Dublin coast
were certainly in use by the early centuries AD. It is likely that there were many
scattered dwellings and family farmsteads throughout the countryside but evidence for
them is difficult to detect. A good deal of social organisation appears to have existed
as er.idenced by the communal efforts invested in the construction of large earthworks
and roads. This would include extensive linear earthworks delimiting territorial
boundaries and acting as a deterrent against cattle raiding, as well as large enclosures
constructed at ritual centres and timber-paved roads to provide access across bogs.
There are a number of different phases to the Iron Age in Ireland, the character
of which appears to have been determined to some extent by external happenings.
Originating between 350 and 150 nc, the earliest La TEne material found in Ireland
 127
THE lRoN A(lt-

hasacontinentalbackgroundanddirectimportsoccur.AmongtheearliestLaTEne
finds are two gold collars discovered
in a bog at ArdnagluE, Co' Roscommon [4:3'
ornaments
is comparable with that found on gold
4:4]. The decoradon on one collar
and it is likely that the Ardnaglug
from a grave at Waldalgesheim in the Rhineland,
The second Ardnaglug collar consisG of a
collar originated in this gene ra| area [4:3].
hoilow acorn-shaped terminals and is possibly
rwisted nafrow band of gold with two
also an imPort [4:4]'
has
In the north-east of Ireland a small group of eight decorated sword scabbards

beenfoundthatdatetothelatethirdCenturyorsecondCenturysC.Theobjects
appeartohavebeenproducedinalocalworkshopbuttheirbackground,andthatofa The
been found, appears to be continental'
small numb", of .hup"s that have also of
'Sword Style', that are in the form
of the so-called
scabbards bear engraved designs
s-scroll or lyre shapes' one such plate
stylisedplant ornament laid out in a series of
wasfoundneartheRiverBannatToome,Co'Antrimandalthoughitiscruderthan
possession [4:5]' A fine exampie of
a cast
other examples it was clearly a much-prized DPral or [4:5]
Co' Tipper ary |4:6]. Like the other five SwonP scABBARD PLATE,
bronze chape is that from near Roscrea,
xnax.Toollr,,
knownexamplesitislozenge-shapedattheend,resemblingsomewhatasrylisedIrish Co. ANrnru'
the waisted centre' In all, about two
dozen
serpent,s head, with extensions above lron Age, second centull BC'

Iron Age swords are known. The plate

or mount, often decorated, placed at the
as a quillon' The earliest Irish
swords
junction of a sword blade and the haft is known
having a characteristic bell-shaped quillon
are rhe closest to continental prototypes,
example from Ballinderry' co' westmeath'
and there is a particularly well-preserwed
influences continue to be present'
After around 150 rc, although continental of
increasingly prevalent' perhaps as a result
material having a British origin becomes
displacemenfficausedbyth;invasionofsouthernEng1andby:a:1iShh
bronze bowls have
tribes known the Belgae' More than a dozen related
as
to southern British types and some
been found in Ireland that are similar
was found containing a cremation
are actual imports. One such import
eath |4:7). originally it had
burial within a hill-fort at Fore, Co. Westm
of which is now lost' The vessel was
two small bird-headed handies, one
made from sheer bronze in two parts,
with the joining along the middle
rlecoratedwitharowofdomedstuds.Thebird-headedformofthe
another probable import from
handles connects the Fore bowl with
drinking bowl or cup from
southern England. This is a handled Dmar or [4:8]
Keshcarrigan, Co. Leitrim, that appears
to date slightly later than the BnoNzE nowl-,

Forebowl,perhapstotheearlyhalfofthefirstcenturyeo[4:8]'Acast KrsHcenntceN'
co' Galway, alongside other obiects Co. Lurnru.
bronze cup handle was also found at
Somerset,
Celtic imports of this phase inciude a Earll lron Age, early fi'rst
dating to rhe early centuries eD. condnental cent1411 AD.

south-wesrern French bronze sword

hilt recovered from the sea-bed at Ballyshannon
 128
N.\t-t()\,\L Nlrrsrrrrr ol

I. ..i::':b!i*.-:,: ,.."': .:::'

!..:.:,. ..::::a . ::t i,....,:::t:,

'::il-llt rr:r'i.,..:i:'..:, . :,, : .::: :....,.::

,ija ;t il,i:!i;i:i':.1:r,:r:i1,,1 :'1:i'
' .4::-::.,atr.\..:.li!:.?t :: .

[4:1]
Tnnp,e ct-Ass RrNG-BEADS: fl{\\,x Hrrr, Co. Krro,*E; DEnrrqrrrsrou.lr, Co. MErrH AND CLoUGH$..{TER, Co. Al"rnnt.
Etrly lron Age , Jir.rt ceTttur! BC.

Bay, Co. Donegal [4:9]. It is cast in the form of a male human fig-r-rre, perhaps intended
to represent a warrior or a god. Other possible imports include large glass ring-beads
with u..hirl or ray designs that are a u.ell-knou,n Late La Tdne continental type [4:1].
Imported objects from the Roman world are represented in the most outstanding
Irish Iron Age discovery made at the end of the nineteenth centLrry during ploughing
at Broighter, Co. Derry [4:10]. This is an unusual group of gold objects w-hich consists
of a model boat together r.vith its fittings, a gold bowl u,ith rings for suspension, two
chains, two twisted collars and a large decorated collar with buft'er terminals.
One of the Broighter gold chains has a single complex strand while the other
erample has three strands gathered together at the rectangular terminals [4:13]. The
chain clasps are of a type rnhich rvas v'iclespread in the Mediterranean end it is clear
that the objects are exotic imports, possiblv from Roman Eg_rpt. The two twisted
collars [4:14] appear to be of southern English origin and are sirnilar to a pair frorn an
assortrnent of imported objects fbund at Newgrange, Co. Meath. The unique gold
boat is a model of an ocean-going vessel complete u.ith seats, oars, ror,l,locks, steering
oar and mast [4:11] rvhile the srnall gold bor,vl may also be a model, in this case of a

cauldron 11:121.
Nso found was a large collar r,vith buffer terminals that is of the same general form
as one of the Ardnaglug collars, although the ring of the Broighter collar is thicker and
decorated sumptuously [4:10]. Apart from its rear moulding the collar is largelv
 t29
THI IRON AGE

complete. The ring is formed from tubular sheets of gold, ornamented with relief
decoration on the convex surfaces. The intricate design is of complex qrmmetry based
mainly on the lotus-bud motif but which one authority has proposed, may be a highly
srylised representation of a horse. It is truly a masterpiece, from the hand of a master
craftsman, and the paucity of other Irish goldwork of the period raises the question as
to whether or nor it is of Irish manufacture. The fact that all the objects in the
Broighter hoard are made from gold which has come from the same source favours an
external origin for the collar. This ore source may be located in the eastern
Mediterranean in the same general area from where the neck chains were imported,
although an origin in the Rhineland is also a possibility. The collar is of a tlpe that
originates ultimately on the continent where the mortice and tenon fastening device
is also found, although related collars are also found in southern England. FIowever,
the decoration on the Broighter collar is Irish and the object can be placed early in the
Irish version of the so-called 'boss style' of ornamentation, a style that appears to have
its origin in a southern British workshop. A possible but not entirely satisfactory
resolution to these apparent contradictions might be found in the proposal that the
Broighter collar represents an Irish remodelling of a continental or southern British
original. Whatever its origins, the Broighter hoard lay concealed for rwo millennia
near the ancient shore at the entrance to Lough Foyle, Co. Derry. Lough Foyle is
associared traditionally with the sea god Manann6n Mac Lir and the location of the
hoard together with the nature of the objects found jewellery, model boat and
-
cauldron strongly argue for it being a votive offering to the ancient Irish deity.
-
Ti-umpets made of wood or sheet copper-alIoy have been found which may have
been used in the context of warfare and ceremony. The form of the instruments is

known among the continental Celts and a similar trumpet is represented beside the
famous statue of the Dtrrg Gaul, a Roman copy of a bronze casting from Pergamon
erected originally around 230 sc. Ahoard of four instruments was recovered from a
former lake known as Loughnashade, close to the royal site of Emain Macha, Co.
Armagh [a:15]. Loughnashade means'the lake of the treasures', which leads one to
conclude that was a votive site into which offerings to the gods were cast. The
it
surviving trumper has a finely decorated ring at the flared mouth with repouss6
ornament composed of long sinuous tendrils which terminate in spiral bosses in high
relief. The rube of the trumpet is in two parts, one of which is clearly a later
replacement as it is poorly executed. The quality of the riveting on the other section
of tube is of a standard that is only occasionally matched on Iron Age sheet metalwork.
During the middle of the first century nc, Celtic Gaul became incorporated into
the Roman Empire and there were two temporary Roman incursions into the south
of England. In eo 43 troops of the Emperor Claudius invaded once more and began
the process that led to the expansion of the empire as far noth as lowland Scotland.
 't REASTREs ()r rHt ,.,- l]:t. \'lttstttrt ()F IRrL.\ND

The Roman expansion in Britain was contested fiercely and there were numerous
revolts and uprisings until the decisive defeat of the north British tribes by Septimus
Severus in a series of campaigns from AD 208 to 2ll.
This period of Roman conquest and consolidation saw- British refugees arrive in
Ireland, as suggested by finds from a late first-century,\D cemetery on Lambay Island,
Co. Dublin. There were a number of inhumation burials which contained flexed
skeletons, of which at least one was that of a warrior buried along u'ith his sword,
shield and unspecified 'ornaments' [4:16]. The tl,pical Irish sw'ord of the early
centuries AD is one that has a hilt of organic material with a curved quillon and a short
blade, the type probably representing a local development of the La Tdne form,
although its imrnediate background appears to lie in Romano-British contexts. The
sword from the Lambay burial differed hou,ever in that it had a long, heary, parallel-
sided blade which is clearly an import. Three bronze mounts, two u,'ith open-work
ornament, probably adorned a scabbard of leather or wood.
The ornaments from Lambav included five Roman brooches, tu'o bracelets of jet
and bronze, and a worn bronze collar ornamented u'ith hollorv bronze beads [4:17].
The collar is of north British qpe dating to around the middle of the first century AD
and it provides an important clue as to the origins of the persons interred on Lambar'-
Island. Betu,.een AD 71 and74 the Brigantes of northern England waged w-ar against
the Romans before being heavily defeated, and it is possible that the Lambay burials
are those of refugees u,'ho fled to Ireland to escape the vengeance of their Roman
conquerors. The Roman brooches or fibulae frorn Lambay are of south-eastern
English ty?es, but their possession by wealthy Brigantians poses no difficulry.
The Lambay Island burials were discovered in 1927 &tring harbour works but
there is an earlier find from the island, made some time before the 1860s, when an
iron sword and a decorated gold band were discovered. The sword is now lost but the
gold band is preserved in the National Museum's collections [4:2]. The decoration of
the latter is in lou' relief consisting of a series of v'heel-in-circle motifs within a
curvilinear design. It may be a simple headband or decoration from a more complex
head-dress. Parallels exist on British decorated bronze strips and the wheel-in-circle
motif occurs also on an Irish head-dress known the 'Petrie Crown' [4: 1B]. The latter
as

is named after George Petrie, a nineteenth-century antiquarian, in whose collection it

was for man)r years but who left no record of the place and circumstances of its
14:21 discovery. The components, which were probably sewn to leather or textile, formed
Goro SAND, PRoBABLy part of an elaborate horned head-dress. One cone survives, attached to a dished
FROM A HEAD-DRESS,
roundel, and evidence for another can be seen on the back of a second roundel. The
Lalrs,{Y Isr.txo,
designs on the Petrie Crown are based on palmette and lotus-bud motifs consisting of
Co. Dunr.rx.
Early lron Age. second hu,('of sinuous trumpet forms that terminate in lentoid bosses, as u'ell as spirals that
J)rct centutl' 1st. terminate in bird heads. Three different qpes of bird head are represented and those
on the cone are remarkably similar to decoration rvhich occurs on British
'Dragonesque' brooches found mainly in nortlern Britain. It is to that area, therefore,
that one must look to find the immediate source of the designs on the Petrie Crown.
A similar type of head-dress is represented by three bronze horns found in Cork
where the River Lee meets the sea, and traces of leather were adhering when the
discovery was made. Outside of Ireland closely comparable examples of horned head-
dress are unknown, although a Celtic bronze horned helmet is known from the River
Thames and representations of Celtic warriors wearing similar helmets are known on
the continent, particularly in Roman contexts. The Irish objects suggest a ritual
purpose and clues to their possible significance may be gleaned from continental finds,
such as a silver cauldron found in a bog at Gundestrup, Denmark, which shows a

human figure u'earing deer antlers. This is likely to be a representation of the Celtic
f'ertility god Cernunnos. The Petrie Crown and the Cork Horns may have been worn
on special ritual occasions where they expressed concepts of fertility and renewal.
A ritual context is likely for a series ofdecorated Iron Age bone objects discovered
in a Neolithic Tomb at Loughcrew, Co. Meath. The most remarkable bone
Passage
objects discovered were the so-called bone slips, made from animal ribs [4:19]. Close
to five thousand fragments were found, of which 138 slips are decorated, and they are
generally rectangular in shape with rounded or pointed ends. A date in the first or
second centuries .\D seems likelv. A variety of designs are employed including lotus-
like forms, continuous broken-backed scrolls, comma curves, background dotting,
concentric overlapping arcs, circles asynmetrically placed within each other and
spindly knob-ended triskeles.
It has been proposed that the slips were trial pieces on which metal-smiths worked
out designs in advance of apply.ing them to metal objects. Howeveq there is no
evidence of metalworking at Loughcrev'. Nthough a portion of a compass was
reported to have been found and it appears therefore that the slips may have been
decorated on site, the location can hardlv be regarded as a workshop. A ritual function
is perhaps more likely and the objects may have been used in some activity such as

divining or fortune telling. Fourteen pieces of bone combs of a Scottish type were also
found in the same tomb, many of which bore incised curvilinear decoration. Further
evidence of a Scottish connection is to be seen in an imported bronze armlet of
second-century AD date found near Newry Co. Down 14:20], while coiled snake
bracelets found in northern Britain during the early centuries .{D may have influenced
the design of a coiled armlet from Ballymahon, Co. Meath 14:211.
External artistic comparisons with the Loughcrew bone slips have been draw-n
with objects found both in northern and south-western Britain. A possible bone
gaming piece was found at Loughcrew and similar items from Cush, Co. Limerick and
Mentrim Lough, Co. Meath bear decoration similar to that found on the bone slips.
 TREASURES oF THE tor,'iio. MrrsEu\r ()F IRELAND

The decoration of the bone slips may also be related to that found on a range of metal
objects such as the Broighter Collaq the Petrie Crown and certain tubular bronze
spear butts. It is also similar to incised designs that occur on a number of bronze
spoon-like objects which likewise may have had a ritual function [4:22). These spoons
appear to occur in pairs, one of each pair having a perforation in the 'bowl' close to
the edge. Six examples are known, of which one is likely to be an import from
southern Britain, whereas the others are of a form current in Scotland and Ireland
around the time that the Loughcrew bone slips were made.
As is the case in Britain and on the continent, stone carvings of Celtic gods have
been found in Ireland. Some depict a number of faces of which the finest example is
the three-faced head from Corleck, Co. Cavan 14:23). The faces on the carving are
similar but not identical, and each seems to express a different mood. A stone head,
said to have been found within an Early Bronze Age stone circle at Beltany, Co.
Donegal, appears to wear a collar and this is also likely to be of pagan Celtic origin.
The precise culnrral affinities of the stone heads is difficult to establish, but both
continental Celtic and Romano-British connections have been noted. The continental
affinities appear somewhat remote and it is probably within a Romano-British context
that the more immediate background to the Irish carvings may be found, probably
during the first and second centuries AD.
During these cwo centuries brooches and coins are the main categories of Roman
objects found in Ireland and their presence may also be associated with fleeing
Romanised Britons. On the other hand such finds may be connected with Roman
commercial activity. Roman copper ingots have been found along the north Dublin
coast that point to the probable siting of a major workshop at Drumanagh Fort. This
would suggest that, to a certain extent, the production of fine metalwork was
connected to trade with Britain. Workshops which may have been few in number
turned out a relatively small range of high status ornaments that seem to have catered
mainly for the tastes of aristocratic cattle lords on the central plain and the rich lands
of IJlster. Although some of the objects are uniquely Irish, the material nevertheless
possesses a British background and the direct involvement of British or Romano-
British craftsmen in their production, employing imported raw materials such as

copper ingots, cannot be discounted.

Small circular bronze boxes [4:24] and mounts were fashioned using a variety of
decorative techniques and a circular box found at Somerset, Co. Galway, contained a
gold torc. Similar torcs as well as bronze bracelets and amber beads were found in a

recent hoard discovered at Dooyork, Co. Mayo [4:25). A small number of Irish
brooches were manufactured to supplement imported ones. However, the commonest
and most characteristic Irish Iron Age object was the horse-bit 14:26), normally of cast
bronze although a few iron examples are known. They occur in pairs and there exists
 r33
-[ r I tr rl..t ,\t;
H t

a basic form consisting of a central figure-of-eight link attached to two flanking links,
at the ends of which rings are attached. Some 140 examples are known and they appear
ro be associated with Y-shaped pieces of which about 100 examples have been found.
The Y-shaped pieces may be pendants or leading-pieces or may have performed a
pracrical function in harnessing a pair of ponies to a chariot. Five different qpes of
horse-bits have been proposed although the chronological significance of these is
uncertain. As one proceeds through dre series the side links becorne more curved,
flatter in cross-section and they project further into the rings. The three types lying
earliest in the series are plain, although two bits have settings for red enamel, while
another has decoration in the form of owl-like heads that are finished using stippling
in a manner comparable with a design that occurs on one of the Loughcrew bone slips.
On the final two types, decoration occurs frequently in the form of fine curwilinear
lines, cast in relief. Stylised human faces and foliage-based designs are common also.
Because of the lack of associated material it is not possible to state when the
undecorated horse-bits may have been first used in lreland. What is clear however is
that the decorated bits are associated through their ornament with objects such as the
Petrie Crown, Cork Horns and decorated tubular spear butts, and a date in the late
first or second centuries AD seems likely.
An unusual enarnelled horse-bit was found at Killeevan, Co. Monaghan which
may be an import from Britain and with it was found a small repouss6 disc which may
also be an import of the second century ttt 14:27).
A similar date is proposed for large, decorated, copper-alloy discs, of which a
number have been found in pairs [4:28]. Each disc has a circular area, placed ofT-
centre, which is defined by a raised ring. The area within may be flat, gently concave
or deeply hollowed. On each example, this hollow would fonn the mouth if the over-
all design were seen to represent a stylised human face. The raised curvilinear
decoration is made tp of pehae as well as trumpet-shapes that end in lentoid bosses
and, occasionally, bird heads. The background may be stippled or bear series of
hammer marks which accentlrate the raised decoration. Seven examples are known
and their function is uncertain. They may have had a ceremonial or parade function,
perhaps suspended from the sides of chariots.
During the Early Iron Age, speals may have been used mole commonly than
swords, but surwiving examples made of iron are rot easy to identifir unless they are
found within a secure archaeological context. Flowever, there is a beautiful example of
a cast bronze spearhead from Boho, Co. Fermanagh which can be assigned to the Iron

Age on the basis of its decoratton 14:29).

The distribution of Iron Age prestige metalwork seems to fbreshadow later
political realities in Ireland. The areas within which La Tdne ornamented material is
found are those where the ruling dynasties of Early Medieval Ireland are located at the
 T*rrsrrttts .,,rr: :., ]:1.'r,\trrsrr.r\r .r lrttt rxo

dau,ning of the Christian era. The ancient rulers of Connacht, Meath and Leinster
\\.ere all located on the Central Plain. Meath came to be dominated by a tribal
federation knou,n as the Ui who originated in Connacht, w-hile an offshoot
N6i11
moved from Connacht to north-u,est Ulster rvhere the,v eclipsed the power of the
ancienr Ulster kingdom centred on Enain Macha. In the Early Nfedieval period the
High Kingship of Ireland alternated betq.een the two main branches of the Ui Ndill,
lr,.ith Thra as their pre-eminent ritual centre. There is a small, but perhaps significant,
penetration into north.N,Iunster of La Tdne metalv-ork and imported Roman material,
such as a first-century .{D Roman brooch fbund at Cashel, Co. Tipperary a place
u,hich later became the royal seat of the Munster kings. North A'Iunster w-as the
heartland of the Eoganacht dr,,nasty u.ho ruled tr{unster undl the end of the first
millennium .to and u,ho competed with the Ui N6i11 for the over-lordship of Ireland.
Generally speaking, Roman imports of third-century date are not present in
Ireland, and this mav reflect a significant change in the nature of the relationship
betu.een Ireland and Roman Britain. A significant factor ma\. have been disruption
caused by the u.ell-attested incidence of Irish piracv and raiding on Britain from the
third century rn r,vhich mav have cut off supplies of British rau, materials as u'ell as a
reflexive trade, possiblv in Irish cattle hides and dairv produce. These fhctors may have
been responsible for ending the production of the high-status objects u'hich
characterised the late first and second centuries .tD. La Tbne ornamented material
dating from the third to fifth centuries AD is difficult to demonstrate although
imported Roman rnaterial is present once rnore during the fourth and fifth centuries
at a time rvhen Irish settlement occurs in the north and u'est of Britain. Overall, the
period from the third to the fifth century.\D appears to be that during u'hich the Irish
assimilated many aspects of provincial Rornan technology and culture. Finds such as

the hoard of silver ingots and chopped-up fine silver tableware from Balline, Co.
Limerick may represent loot frorn a raid on a Roman province [4:30]. On the other
hand, the deposition of Roman artefacts at Ne\.vgrange, [4:31,4:32,4:33] suggests that
the site was used as a shrine in a manner consistent with Rornano-British practices,
while at Freesrone Hill, Co. Kilkenny a shrine has been identified devoted to a cult of
healing. The latter is of a t\,pe knou.n in Late Roman times from south-western
Britain and it contained a range of imported personal ornalnents of the fourth or fifih
cenruries ,rn. Located u.ithin the enclosure of a Later Bronze Age hill-fort, the shrine
r,vas focusedon a burial cairn of the Early Bronze Age. The adoption of pagan
Romano-British practices by the Irish should not be seen as surprising given the
adoption in the fifth centurv of Christianity, the religion that had triumphed finallv
above all orhers u.ithin the Roman u'orld. Indeed, the adoption of Christianiw can be
seen as but one further step in the process of the Romanisation of earlv Irish sociehr,
a process that had its roots set fimrly in the pagan Iron Age.
 135
THE IRON AGI
&

Irrusrnerroxs

[4:1] Trrnrr crr\ss RrNG-BEADS: IIAwK Hrrr, Co. Kroann; DBntralrsrowN, Co. MnarH
alu Cr,oucuwemn, Co" Arvrnrm.
Early h.on Age, first centatl BC.

fivo of t}te beads appear to have been associated with burials. The find circumsrances of the Cloughwater
bead was not recorded, but it may have been found in or close to the Clough river. They are made eitler
of translucent or dense black glass with yellow idays that spiral around the rings. Aralysis suggests tiat
the Hawk Hill
bead may be a native copy of imported continentai beads and that the other two are
continental imports, possibiy by way of southern Britain. 1945:323; 1933:3406; 1907:79. D. 4.1 cm, 3.1
cm and 2.6 cm.
Rojlrry 1972, 14-18; Rofirry 1983, 185-6.

[4:2] Goro BAND, pRoBABLy FRoM A HEA-D-DRESS, LAMBAv IsraLrto, Co. Dr,nr,rN.
Enrly Iron Age, second half offirst century AD.
The gold strip ',ras found with an iron sword on Lambay Island, Co. Dublin in the middle of the
nineteenth century. As the strip is broken at each end the decoration is internrpted. The curvilinear relief
orflamentJ which incorporates wheeled cross motifs, shows classical restraint and is not of Irish
manufacture, being almost certainly a Brigantian import. W82. L. 23.5 cm,
WiAe 1862, j9; Rynne 1976, 231-2; Rnfury 1983, no. 867, 279*80.
At'

[4:3] Gor,n coLL{R, AnoNa.cluc, Co. RoscoumoN.

Eat $ Iran Age, tbird centutl BC.

For more than a century two gold neck ornaments were known as the Clonmacnoise coliars before recent
tley were found in a bog at Ardnaglug, Co. Roscommon. The more
research established finally that
elaborate of the two is of a qpe characterised by its 'fused-buffer' terminals, comparable examples of
which have been found on the continent. The terminals and flanking cone-shaped mouldings bear
repouss6 decoration in the form of a continuous series of raised S-shapes and spirals, all of which
terminate in round bosses. The background is dotted to accentuate the raised designs. A meandering gold
wire frames the edges of a box-like feature at the back of the collar which allowed both halves to pivot,
thus enabling t}re wearer to place it in position. W290.D.14.7 cm.
Wilde 1862,47-9;Kelly 1983, no. 26; Rnrtery 198i. no. 451, 169; Ireland 1992, 123-16.
 136
Tnr,tsunts oF THE N,,r:lroxer MusEuM or- IRELAND
#

[4:4] Goro coLr-AR, A.nnxRcr,uc, Co. RoscorrMoN.

Early lron Age, third centwy BC.

The second collar found in Ardnaglug Bog consists of a twisted narrow band of gold with two hollow
spherical terminais, perhaps representing acorrx. The oak tree had a special significance in Celtic religion
and its fi-uit, the acorn, was an important food source for the wild boar. The terminals may therefore be
a reference to the oak tree or to the wild boar, which was a cult animal. The collar may be related
thematicaliy to a later (first century nc) stone carving probably representing a god, fiom Euffigneix,
Irance which shows a male figure wearing a collar with buffer terminals on whose body is carved a large
figure of a wild boar. fivisted gold collars are knov,rr from La TEne contexts on the continent and both
Ardnaglug collars are probabiy imports. W292.D.14.2 cm.
WiLl.e 1862,47-9; Kelly 1983, n0.27; Raftery 1983, n0.454, 170; lreland 1992, 12346.
at,

[4:5] Swono ScABBARD pr-{TE, NEAR TooME, Co. ANrnlnr

Early h.on Age, second centary BC.

Found near the River Bann at Toome, Co. Antrim. The plate has a characteristic oudine, being bow-
shaped at the broad end with a tapering narrow tong-ue at the other extremity. The decorated surface
faced outwards originally but the scabbard plate was reversed later and shortened, perhaps because of
damage to the end. Subsequent abrasion by a sword as it was withdrawn and replaced has worn the
decorated surface. An engraved, stylised foliage design of which the basic form is a spiral, is repeated
along the plate. At the sides of the plate the spirals thicken into wide crescenric areas that are divided
longitudinally, decorated with a herring-bone pattern. Hatched lines are used to decorate lentoid areas
that terminate the spirals. 1937:3634. L. 44.5 cm.
Kelly 1983, no. j4; RaJtery 1983,267.
.8,

[4:6] Scarnano cHApE, NEAR RoscREA, Co. Tnrrxanv.

Early lron Age, secontl cenfrtry BC.

This is recorded as having been found near Roscrea, Co. Tipperaryin 1880. Originally a chape such as
this would have been attached to t-he end of a scabbard similar to that represented by the Toome scabbard
plate. The chape, which may be unfinished, is cast in the form of a serpent's head. Circular setrings,
representing the serpent's eyes, may have held studs, possibly of red enamel. It is of a continental type,
the prototype of which appears to occur in the region of north-east France. 1881:38. L. 10.5 cm.
Rojitry 1983, no. 271, 105; Rolirry 1984, 87-8.
*r
 1)1
r)t
TI IE IRON ACE
w

[4:7] BnoNzn BowL, LAcru,r arsD MooRErowN, FoRr, Co. Wnsmrp,mn.

Early Iron Age, second centur)/ BC.

\4rhen found in a burial within an inland promontory fort the bowl contained the cremated remains of an
older adult male. The vessel is an import from Britain and compares closely to a bowi found in a buriai at
Spettisbury Rings, Dorset. To the north and east, the promontory fort overlooks an extensive and
important medieval ecclesiastical complex. At a short distance to the south lies Lough Lene where a smail
wooden boat buiit in the Mediterranean was recovered and which dated to the same period as the bowl.
Important imports such as these suggest that the promontory fort was one of considerable importance
during the Iron Age and this may have had a bearing on the subsequent importance of Fore during the
medieval period. The vessel has an elegant profile and was made in two parts fiom sheet bronze, the
joining along the middle being decorated vrith a row of domed studs. 1988:172. Max. D. 29.5;H. 16.1 cm.
Lanting antl Brind.ley 1998, 6.
'tr'

[4:8] BnoNzr BowL, KESHCARRTcAN, Co. Lnrrnnn.

Earllt Iron Age, early first century AD.
Found at Keshcarrigan irl the stretch of water between Lough Scur and Lough Marrive, Co. Leitrim.
Nthough slightly later in date, like the Fore bowl the one-handled bowl from Keshcarrigan is likely to
be an import from south-west England. It was probably a drinl<ing cup and it has the same profile as the
example from Fore, the vessel turning in at the shoulder and having an out-turned rim. The metal from
which it was made was first beaten into shape and then fuished by the exertion of pressure on the surface
while the object was being spun in a wooden mould. The rim is decorated with a zig-zagltne in false relief
produced by hammering while the cast handle is in the form of a duck-like bird, the eye sockets of which
probably held red enamel. W37. Max. D. 15.3 cm; H. 7.2 crr'.
Mulaany 1852, lix; Wilde 1861, 53a; Kelly 198 j, no. 3 j; Raftery 1983, no. t67, 213-214.
rtr,

[4:9] Swono HrLT, BALLvsHANNoN BAy, Co. DowBcel.

Early lron Age, first centary BC.
Of direct continental origin, probably in south-western France, the remarkabie cast bronze sword hilt
was dredged up by a trawler from the sea-bed at Ballyshannon Bay, Co. Donegal, around 1916. When
found it was attached to a short iron blade about 17 .5 cm in length. The hilt is cast in the form of a male
human fig'ure and classical influence is manifest in the style of the modelling of the face, although the hair
is depicted with the q,pically Celtic technique of vertical ridging. The eyes are slanted. A raised triangular
panel occurs on the front and the back, below the neck. The grrp is ridged by tlree short, reel-shaped
mouidings, the surfaces of which are decorated with short, etched lines such as are known fiom the
handles of bronze flagons found in a Celtic burial at Basse-Yutz, France. 5L1926:47. L. 13.4 cm.
Anon 1925, 137-8; Kelljt 1983, no. 29; Rnfiery 1983, no. 244, 89.
 t38
Nrrro.rtl \lit,slr.t\t ()t lrtF

[4:10] Hoano oF GoLD Bnolcurnn, Co. Drnnv (tnotd),

oBTECTS,

Goro corren, BnorcurrR, Co. Dennv (aaLowy.

Etrfi hut Age,.first ceiltul1, t](:.
Found ilr a hoard of gold objccts deposited close to tl-re ancient shore at the entrance to Lough Fo1 le.
Br:oighter, Co. Derrt'. There is an elaborate, raised, cunilinear desiglr on the convex areas of the ring. The
arer befii.een the raised decoration is fillecl u'ith concentric alcs of circles incised lvith a cornpass in a

fashion that sen'es to emphasise the raisecl clecoration. The encls of the tubes adjoining the terminals each
bear a single rou. of small punched-up pellets and a zone of raised ornalnent rvith trumpets, lentoid ancl
circular bosses. The termrnals are fltted u.ith a mortice and tenon de.",ice uhich listened the collar and the
T-shape d tenon is surlounded b,v raised ]ines r:esernbling a sun-lrurst. Each of the terminals has a recess ot-r

the circular face into u.hich an opemvork strip of three rows of conjoined raised bosses has been fitted. The
use of rou-s of pellets to disguise rivet heads is reminiscent of earlier sl-reet-bronze u-ork u.hile the use of
chasing rather than repouss6 to fashion the raised decoratior-r on the rii-rg rnigl-rt also be seen as reprcsenting
continuiry of natir.e craft trlditions from the Later Bronze Age. On balance, hou.er.er, the techniquc oi
clecoration may be due mainly to the technical difficulties involved in producing the objcct. Moreover, br-
contrast rvitl-r the large assemblage of I-ate Bronze Age goldr.r-ork, the Broighter collar stands u.ithout anr
comparablc body of Irish lron Age goldivork. 1901:121. D. 19.4 crn.
P'rueger 1912,29-32; Il/anter 1982,29-38; Kell1, 198). no. )0; RttJtery 1983, no.4t0. 167-8.

[4:11] Goro r,roDEL BoAT, BRoTGHTER, Co. DBnnr-.

Ear$, Iron Age, fit'st cenilul BC'.

The presence of this uniquc model boat made of beaten sheet golcl pro'r-ides one of the clearest
indications that the Broighter hoarcl is a votive deposit to the sea-god N'Ianannin Mac Lir. It is probablr
a model of an ocean-going vcsscl, of wood rather than hide-covered, complete rvith seats, oars, rou.locks.
steering oar and mast. l90l:i23. L. 19.6 cm.
Prneger 1 912, 29 32; I;[ltmer 1 9 82, 29-3 8; R jtrrl ] 98 3, no. 8 11, 268-7t).

[4:12] Goro ]roDEL cALTLDRoN, Bnorcuren, Co. Dpnnr'.

Edrly Iron Age, Jirst centtlry BC.

Made of beaten sheet gold, the small bowl frorn the Broighter hoard is almost certainly r-reant tcr

represent a cauldron. Originaliy there u.ere suspension rings at tl-re carclinal points on the rirn. Bronze
cauldrons u'ere plentiful dr.rring tl-re Later Bronze Age rvhile cauldrons made of u-ood, iron and bronze
are knor.r.n from the Earlv Iron Age. It seems likelv that cauldrons rvere used at meals for social groups
larger than a familv unit and in contcxts that lyere of a ceremonial and rinral nanrre. -lhe forrner ritual
signillcance of cauldrons mav underlie the v-idespread Europear.r fblk tradjtions relating to rnrsic
cauldrons u.hich are ever bountihrl. 1901:121. D. 10.-5 cm; H. 5.7 cm.
Praegcr 1912,29-)2; Il/anter 1982,29-j8; Rnftu1 1983, no. t7t,216-17.
 139
THE IRON AGE
re

[4:13] Two GoLD NECK cI{AINS' BnorcHrnn, Co' Dpnnv'

Early lron Age, rtrfi centull BC.
The necklaces are made liom gold wire, the chains being constructed in the loop-in-loop technique,
chain
which gives more flexibility than true plait. The triple-strand necklace is of the simplest single-loop
whereas the single-srand chain is of more complex muitiJoop construction' The techaique of
manufacrure of these chains originated in the Middle East from whence it spread to the Mediterranean
world. The clasps can be paralleled in Etruscan and Roman contexts. 1903:323 - The complex necklace
is

39.6 cm in length. The single-strand example is 34-8 cm'

praeger 1942, 29-32; wat"net" 1982, 29; Rnftrrl 1983,._no. 458-9, 172-3; Raiiery 1984' 191.

[4:14] Two GoLD TwrsrED BAR ToRCS, Bnolcntnn, Co' Donxv'

Early lron Age, Jirst cennuY sC.
It is in the south of England that parallels for these twisted bar torcs can be found; however, the
east
torcs'
terminals of the British rorcs are looped rather than the hook-inloop variety on the Broighter
There is a further difference in that the twisted wire within the torsion Srooves of the Broighter torcs is

on the British torcs. Nevertheless, the nature of the gold used in their production suggests
that
not found
a hoard of
the Broighter torcs are imports and this is supported by the finding of a similar torc among
and the
Roman objects at Newgrange, Co. Meath. 1903:323. One of the Broighter torcs is incomplete
other has a diameter of 18.6 cm.
Praeger 1942, 29-j2; Warnet' 1982, 29; Roftery 1983, 171-2; Rafteryt 1981, 190'
.-*-,

[4:15] TnuunEr, LoucHNAsrrADE, Co. ARMAGH.

Earllt lron Age, fitst centa?Y BC.
a hoard of
Found in a former lake, the Loughnashade, Co. Armagh trumpet is the only one to survive of
armies which
four found originally. Classical writers have left accounts of the unnerving effect on Roman
a similar
the continental Celts achieved by blowing their war tnimpets before battle and we can assume
the trumpet was
martial function for the splendid trumpet from Loughnashade. Iloweveq it is likely that
also used on ceremonial and ritual occasions. It consists of two curved tubes, the
joining of which is

concealed by a ridged ring. At the flared mouth there is a decorated ring and its
ornament is executed in
images of each
the repoussd technique, based on the classical lotus-bud motif' The quadrants are mirror
other and the design is composed of long, sinuous tendrils which terminate in spiral bosses
in high relief'
their length'
A number of uumpet curves are incorporated into the design. Both tubes are riveted aiong
masterpiece of the
One tube, which is clearly a later replacement, is poorly executed, while the other is a
such as the Petrie
riveter's craft, the quality being only matched occasionally on other fine metalwork
Crown and the Cork llorns. W8. L. along convex edge 186.5 cm; D. of mouth 19'l cm'
Browne 1800, 11-12; Ketly 1983, no. 31; Raftery 1983, no. 781, 2j940; Roiirry 1984, 1i143.
an,
 1+O
Trrr,\silRls ()ti IHr: \r.t-tOx.rt \lLIsILl\l ()F IRIL.\\L)

[4:16] Tunrr BRoNZE SCABBARD trIoLr,\'TS, L.$rs.q.v Islelu, Co. DrryrrN.

Errly [ron Age, sccrnd l:alf of'.fh:t.etttttt'y tD.
Thc mounts, rvhich lr.cre seerningly lound in the grave of e u'arrior on Lambav Island, Co. Dublin, are
all frorn the same scabbard. Tivo of thern have openu.ork triskele desig;ns and the third is a plain cross-
bar g,pe. The openu.ork mounts u-ere first cast and then tooled and polished, dre swle of the desien being
ptrralleled on a Brisantian tvpe of scabbard lbund at -N{orton Hal1, Edinburgh. 'Ihe jnternal dirnensions
of the open u,ork mounts indicate that they rvere fitted to a scabbard ri.ith a cross-section of 5.5 cm x 1.25
crn. L19.17:198-200.
I'Ir ctli.rter 1 929, 24 3 ; Rynn e 1 97 6, 2 )7-8 ; RtJtul 1 9 8 ), tt0. 27 6 8, 10 i -1 0 6.

[4:17] BnoNzE coLLAR, L,lnrslv IsLl,ru, Co. DuerrN-.

Enrl1, Iron Age, second halJ'oJ'JiL:t centtry.lD.
Found rvith inhumation burials on L,arnbay Island, Co. Dublin. T}re collar is constructed in tuo rnrin
parts: there is a C-shaped, cast bronze strip r.vith bead-like ternrinals into whjch fits a cur-i'ed rocl rnounted
ivith eight bronze beads alternating u.ith seven u.asher-like discs. There are oblique groovcs on the beads
and cast terminals. The collar is of a $pe lbund in the north of llngland ancl lorvland Scotland and is :
rvell-known Br:igantian ope. 1947:19-5.Int. Dims. 13.9 cnr x 12.6 cm.
llatrlister 1 929, 213; Rynne 1976, 23I 9: RrJtul, 1983, no. Iii, 17I.

[4:18] BnoNzE HEAD-DRESS KNo\1N AS THE Pprnrn. Cnot'l'1.t, LTNLoCATISED.

Earfi lron Agc, setond celfiur\t ,1D.

The find-placc is not recorded. It is a complex object lr..hich rvas asserr-rbled expertl)' using rivets and
solder. Thc coflrponents, r.i.hich u-ere probably' sewn to 1e'.rther or textile, formed part of ln elaborate
horned hcacl-dress. One cone sun-ives attached to a clished roundel alrd er,idence for another can be seen
on the back of a seconcl roundel. Thc roundels are attached to plates rvhich have openr.vork voids creatinq
the itnpression th:rt the\r are cornposed of running semi-circ]es. Cast sinuous trulrpet fbnns terminatinq
in lentoid bosses and spirals ending jn bird heads achieved lorv-relief ornalnent. The bird herds on the
cone and discs of the cro\\rl \,-ere once filled r-ith red cnarnel, as \\.ere setting's in the bosses on the discs,
one of u.hich still contains an enamei stud. P869; P870. D. of roundels 5.1 cn.r.
Srokes 1883,17) 80: Kelllr lp[3, no. )6; Rr.Jterl 1983, no. 821, 260-61.
 1+r
Trrr luox
ffi

Drcontroo BoNE sLIPS' Loucncnnw; Co' Mneru'

[4:19]
Earfu Iron Age, Jirsr centull AD'
is the location of a Neolithic Passage Tomb
cemetery'
A group of low hills at Loughcrew, co. Meath
at one of the tombs, cairn tI' has revealed
the presence
From the 1860s onwards, sporadic investigations
site was excavated scientifically h 1943 but the results
of Iron Age as well as Neolithic material. The
and pins'
beads of glass, bone and amber' bone combs
remain unpublished. The Iron Age finds included
worked bone plaques or slips' most of which were
riags of iron and bronze, as well as the remarkable
slips illustrated'
bore incised decoration' of the two bone
polished and plain, but of which a large number
similar in layout to the raised decoration on the
the perforated example bears a decorative scheme on
bone slip is closely comparable to carwed ornament
Broighter collar, while decoration on the smaller
may be identified
a stone from Derrykeighan, co. Antrim.
It has been suggested that the bone plaques
at Roman shrines and that they represent vodve
s,ith the metal leaf- or f-eather-shaped plaques found
plaques of polished bone from a structule
identified as a
deposits. The discovery of similar leaf-shaped
that
this interpretation and it is perhaps significant
shrine at cadbury congresbury, Somerset, sltppofts
on the slips
external artistic comparisons with the decorarion
south-western England is an area for which
the late
have been drawn. lt seems likely therefore
that the Loughcrew Passage Tomb was used during
practice' Neither
fust and second centuries AD as a cultic shrine
in a manner reflecting Romano-British
of the slips illustrated is complete' 194l:1222'
L' 13'1 cm' 194l:1223' 11'5 cm'
20'
231-238; Rofi"ry 199'l' 251J63; Swtft 1997'
Rstz et al 1992,242; RaJiery 1993, no' 622-623'
.?i,

Nrwnv, Co' DowN'

[4:20] BnoNzE MAssr!.E AR]rLET'
Earfu Iron Age, second centur)t AD'
circular terminals, found near Nern''ry' co' Down'
is an
The large, cast bronze penanluiar armlet, with
of transverse lentoid
is dominated by a repetitive series
import from eastern scotland. The decoration
cm; W' 6'7 cm'
trosses. 187 5:l2}.Int. Dims' 9'0 cm x 8'2
Simpsott 1968, 252; RoJi"ry 1983, no' 470'
177; Roft"y 1984' 194-6'
{ri,

Co' Mne'm'
[4:21] BnoNzr BRACELET' Barr-vnnauoN,
Earll' lron Age, second cenrury AD'

the Deei and Bol'ne rivers at Ball1'mahon'

co' Meath' The
Found in drainage rvork at the jurction of The
y-shaped strip into circular form, thus giving a pseudo-spiral effect'
bracelet is formed by bending a
perforated
tracelet shows north British influences both
in its form and decoration' There are bird-like
urskelesatthejunctionoftheYandononecircularterminalsirrrilartothoserepresentedontheLambay
a botched affempt
trsland openwork scabbard mounts. one
of the coils was broken off in antiquity and
made to repair it, using rivets' W504' D'
lus 9'9 cm'
473' 178-9; Roft'oy 1984' 196' Youngs (ed') 1989'
lt-ildt 1861, 570; tlynne 1964, 69-72; Roft"'y 198j' no'
 1+2
TrtL\sL.tRES ()r rtL \tltor\r \lu.-sELl\1 rtr Inrr,tt u

[4:22] Parn oF BRoNZE spooNs, LNLoc.{r"rsED.

Early lron. Age, .fir'st to scc(nd ceilturl ,tD.
Find-place not recorded. Six objects of this q.pe are knos,n from lreland. One is a British irnport and the
rernainder appear to derive frorn protoE/pes that occur mainlv in the south and $.est of Britain. At least
nr.-o British finds and the only knor.r.n pair fron-r Gaul accon-rpanied burials, and some sort of ritual
flinction is suspected for the Irish examples. A spoon of sirnilar shape, though seemingllv of fourth- to
fifth-century date, made from jet, was founcl in a burial lnonument at Carbury Hill, Co. Kildare, u,hich
is the source of the River Boyne. The tr'vo spoolrs illustrated appear to be a pair but they are not exacth'
similar and differ sligirdv in size. The handles of both are decorated on the top and botrom surfaces lvith
lightlv incised compass-drau-n designs includine a triskele and the designs are highlighted using fields of
stippled dots. One spoon is perforated near the rim at the broadest part of the bou.l uhile the other bov'1
has centrailv piaced, inscribed concentric circles at the centre of a simple cross. \,\16;\.\,'7.L. 14.4 cm and
14.1 cm.
Way 1869, 67-8; Rafiery 198i, no. 822-3,262-3; Rnft"l 1984,212,261 7.

[4:23] C.rn.l'nD sroNE HEAD, DRUITEAGLTE, Conrncr, Co. Cevel,.

Earll lron Age, J)rst to second rcnttu.y AD.
Knou,n since it came to scientific attention in 1937 as the Corleck Head, this three-f-aced stone idol was
found in the tou'nland of Drumeague, Co. Cavan around the trear 1855. It appears that it r,vas one of a
number of car-lings fbund, including a bear-ded bust no$,- kror,r,n as the Corraghv Head which rvas later
built into barn in the nearby tou,nland of that narne. Thomas Barron, the local historian who broueht
a
the three-faced head to the attention of the National -\,{useum, spent a lifetime resear-ching the iocal
traditions concerning the find and he concluded that the figures r.vere associated r,vith a shrine located at
Dmrneagte Hil1. Nearby is Corleck Hili, rlhere it appears that betu-een 1832 and 1900 a Passage Tomb
surrounded by a stone circle and a circular ernbanJonent sevent\. yards in diameter u.ere dismantlecl. The
site of these monulnents \4ras the centre of an important Lughnasa festival that celebrated the har-v'est, an
ancient Celtic tradition r.vhich sur-vives into modern times. Other Celtic stone heads have been found in
the viciniq' such as those from Corravilla and (lavan Torvn and the find-place of the three-faced idol is
only tu'ek'e miles from Lougl-rcrevr., Co. NIeath. A little further north there is another group of Iron Age
stone car-v'ings rvhich appear to be centred on the vicinit\,- of Emain Macha, the main political and r-inral
site of ancient Ulster.
The likelihood is that the Corleck Flead rvas associated u.ith a shrine reflectins Romano-British
traditions located close to uhere the carwrng was cliscor.ered. The three-faced carving is the flnest of its
tvpe and there is a small hole jn the base to help it stand securell,, perhaps on a pedestal. One of the faces
is hear,1'brou.ecl and all of them have bossed eves, a broad nose and slit rnouth. One of tl-re mourhs has a

smali circular hoie at the centre ar-rd this fearure is also fbund on two of the Co. Arrnagh carvings and on
another trom Woodlands, Co. Donegal. There are ser.eral exarnples of this feature fron-r Yorkshire, the
best knor.vn occurring on t\ ro three-faced idols from Greetland, near Halifar. The leature also occurs on
a stone head froln Anglesey, Wales. 1998:72. I{. 33 cm.
Rynne 19i2,84-i; l,l[dcNeill 1962,26, 172,426; Btrron, 1978,3-16.
 t+3
TttL. Inor .\c1

[4:24] Tunnr BRoNZE crRCL'I-AR Bo)aES, Con*'glreR-lcH, Co. MoNecrurx;

N-*,aN Fonr @lrtrx Mecnt) Co. Ax-l't.q,cu -d\D SoIIERSEI Co. Geru'.1v.
Enrly Iron Age,.fir-rt to secontl rcnttttll .1D.

The beautiftilly decomtecl lid found in a bog at Cornalarash, Co. Monegh:rn has a u'ide, raised, circular
tlea, at the centre of uhich there is a smaller raised disc bearing'an openu'ork desigr-r. A sinuous strap,
rr hich narrov.s ar each encl, spans the central space and divides the disc svmmetricrlll.. Tl o opposed spiral
pirtterns errrerge from the cdge at right aneles to this. Each curls around and encls in a small knob linked
ro the rim bv a reinfbrcing bar. The area surrounding the central disc is pierced u,ith a lattice arrangelnent
oilozenges u'ith cun-ed sides. The apertures regrrlarll. decrease ir-r size inu,ards torvards the centre. Shiriey
Collection, no. lJ. D. 7.4 cm.
-*ton. 18j2. 11;Kelly, 1981,n0.32, 106;Raftery1983,ttct.813,2l5-6;Rnjtny1984,281 7.
A circular ]id firund near Iimair-r Nlacha has a reserved triskele in a trcld of red enamel as the central
.1esign. This is surrounded b,v a scries of large and small reserr,-ed concentric circles r'r-hich are also set in
r treld of red enamel. 1906 129. D.7.J cm.
R,t.ftet'.1, 19t3. n.o. 805,2i3; RdJtery 1981,281-7.
The Sor-rerset, Co. Galu.ay bor contained a tu.isted gold collar and rvas part of a larpJe hoard. 'l'he
bor lid is decorated u,ith repoussd ornament consisting of a trumpet pattern rvhich coils around a small
centr:al boss and tenninates in a lentoid boss. Fields of punched dots and incised concentric circles
higlilight tl.re raised ornalnent. 1958:156-7. D. 8.1 cm.
Rtr.ftet'1' 1960. 1-j; Kelly 1983, no.28t, 102-10j; Rnftery 1983, 806,253-1; RnJiul' 1981,281 7.

[4:25] Hoano oF Gor,D ToRCS, ,{IIBER BEADS AND BRoNZE BRdcELETS, Doovonx, Co. A[cvo.
Ear[, lvs11 Age. 300 BC-200 ,1D.
'fhis hoard rvas lound in 2001 on the beach at Dooyork, Co. X{ayo. The hoard contains fbur gold ribbon
torcs (three cornplete and one fragment) n-rade frrxl narro\v bands of gold very tightlv and evenly twisted.
The terrninals rvere sirnpiy made by lorrning small conical terrninals lrom the ends of the btrrs. Founcl at
the same place r.vere seven ,rmber beads and three bronze bracelets (nvo cornplete and one fragnrent).
'['he

bracelets r,r.ere made frorn thin rods of bronze decorated b1. careful\. incising a series of lines across the
lod r.hich gir-es the irnpression that the rtid has been rw-isted. The arnber beads differ slightly in size and
shape and rnal, have been part of a necklace of graduated beads. 01E1 140:1-14. L. of largest torc J0.'16
cnrl total rvt. of gold 36.09.
Cthill 2002. 1 1 8-21 .
 t++
TREASURES OF THE NATIONAL MUSELIM OF IRELAND
ry

[4:26] Parn oF BRoNzE HoRsE-Brrs, ArrYMoN, Co. Garwev.

Eat"l1' Iron Age, secowl centall AD'
These horse-bits were found with a pair of Y-shaped pieces in a bog at Atcymon, Co. Galway and
probably represent a votive deposit. All bear decorarion in the form offine cast lines in relief. The bits
show considerable wear and have been repaired. The inner ends of the side links are cast in the form of
bird heads. The opposite ends are splayed and bear a palmette design. Stop studs in the side rings
formerly held settings, probably of red enamel. l89l:9,9a. L. 3 1.8 cm.
Hc,utonh 1971, j840; I{elly, 1983, no. 38 a-b; Rofrrry 1983, no. 102-3,40-1.
'n,

[4:27] DnconarED BRoNzE Drsc AND ENAMELLED HoRsE-Brr,

KrrrnnvAN, ANroxn, Co. MoN,tcrraN.
Early Iron Age, second centary AD.
An unusual disc was found in a bog at Killeevan, Anlore, Co. Monaghan along with an elaborately
enamelled horse-bit. Each of the side rings of the bit has a reserved design, which differs in each case. A
fretwork design occurs on one ring and there is series of S-shapes on the other. The bit is of an unusual
rype and may represent either an import or an Irish copy of a British type. 1883:385. L.27.6 cm.
Anon. 1856-7, 422-j; Lloyd,-Morgan 1876, 217-22; Rnlirry 1983, no. 80j; Rajlery 1984, 124.
The disc is thought to be a decorative mouflt for a horse harness. The decoration is in repouss6. In
the central circular area a series of spiral bosses define a fourJimbed whirligig. Between the centre and
the edge of the disc there is a series of continuous S-scroils. A similar qpe of disc was found with other
important antiquities on Lambay Island, Co. Dublin and the Killeevan disc has also been compared with
discs found in the area of the Lower Rhine and in Britain. 1883: 123. D. 11.6 cm.
Anan. 1856-7,422-3; Rafiery 1983, no. 132,47-8; Rajleryt 1984, 42.
c&

[4:28] BnoNzE Drsc, MoNnsrsRE\T\{, Co. Knnaru.

Early Iron Age, segond centu?j AD.
One of a pair found at Monasterevin, Co. Kildare. It appears to have been beaten from a cake of bronze
and then decorated in the repouss6 technique. The design in high relief, which may be a stylised head,
incorporates rwo C-shaped scrolls or peltae and a ring within which there is an elliptical apernre. The
layout of the design compares closely with that r+4rich occurs on tfie terminals of the Atqrmon Y-shaped
pieces and may also be compared with the design on one of the discs on the Petrie Crown [4:18]. Seven
discs of the Monasterevin type are known and they are named after the find-place where the onlv
provenanced examples were found. W3. D. 30.6 cm.
Wilde 1861, 6j9; Kelly 198j, no. 35; tujiery 1983, n0.786,244-5; Rnfiroy 1984,276-9.
I?CJ
 t+5
THr IR( )\

[4:29] Docon-,ueD BRoNZE srEARHEAD, BoHo, Co. Fnnlr,rN-q,cn.

Etrl1, Iron Age,.first to second ceiltur.)t .lD.
Tl-ris remar:kable decorated bronze spearhead found ir-r a bos at Boho, Co. Ferm:rnagh, has a leaf-shaped
blade u,hile the socket is oct:rgonal in cross-sectior-r. Both laces of the blacle are clecorated rvith incised
angular ancl concentric-circle lnotifs. Four small srLb-triangular opcnings are an integral palt of the
decoratir.e scherne. Straight-1ine and concentric-circlc motifs also occur on dre socket. 1901:45.
L. 1'1.8 cm.
CoJfel'1898. 120: krJtu1 1983, n0.281, 110: Ro|tul 1981, l()8,289.

[4:30] Roluri srL\,-ER rN-Gors A\D cur pLArE, BALLTNT, Co. LnrEnrcr,
Eiil1, 1v077 Age, late fourth centutlt .tD.
Found in a gravel pit at Balline, Co. Limerick. There are four cox.-hide-sl-raped silr'er ingots, of u,hich
t\vo are incomplete. Oftlcial Roman starnps are present on three of then'r and these carn- the letters EX
OFFI ISAIIS, EX OFC \,ILIS and EX O NON:U The second of dre three bears tl.re Christian Xhi Rho
slalbol and the stamp on it is the same as that found on a cou.-hide ingot fiom the Rornan fbrt of
Richborough in Ker.rt, England. The plate rvith the beaded rirn ancl the corner of a rectangular dish are
probably Romano-British, ri'hiie the fi-agrnent shov'inq the scene s-ith three horsemen ma1- be of
Mediterranean rvorlorlanship. The items may have been concealed b1, a raider returning vja the Shannon
estuar\. 19.10:1 a-g. The complete ingot5 la,sigh 317 g and 318 g respectiveir,.
O Riordriin 1947,11-J3: il[rcalister 1919, 351; Bateson 1973,73-1; RtJterl, 19g1,21t-6.

[4:31] Two s[\rER sprRAL RTNGS, NETvGRANGE, Co. Mp.cru.

Etl'/1, l1'on Age. secontl i:entul)t AD.
The spir:a1 rings are among a large numher of pieces of jes,ellerv including eold objects and coins found
in the viciniq- of thtee standins stones at thc cntrance to the Passage Tornb at Ne\\.grange. The corns
lbund range in date frorn the latc fir'st to the end of the fourth century Att and it is clear that during this
period Neu,granse was an irnportant Iron Age shrine. Both rinqs have three coils. The central coil of each
is decoratecl, iu one case v.ith transverse ribs and on the other u.ith transverse notches on the upper and
lou,er edges. Bronze spiral ring's occur in Britain and up to five exanrples u.ere found in Cairn H,
I-ouglrcreu,, Co..\Ieath. It56:947;tr56:17 12.Internal D. 1.17 crn, 1.6 cm.
Clnrson ntd O'Ke\ 1977, i1, 53 RaJicrl, 1983.481-2, 181; Sz,"tfi 1996;.2 3.
 t+6
lRr,\suRts ()F IIIL Nrtttl'.,rt \[Ltstttrt ()F lR[1,\\l-)
-

[4:32] Over AND cIRCLILAR DISC BRoocHES, NEwGRANGE, Co' MEAIH'

Early lrott Age , fotuth cetttutl AD.
'I-he
Founcl in the yiciniry of three standing stones at the entrance to the Passage Tomb at Ner'verange.
ltro1lches are ofbronze ancl their fronts are gilded. The central boss on the oval brooch is ofblack or very
dark glass. The boss is rnissing frorn the circular brooch. Arour-rd each boss therc are tu o concentric zones
fil1ed with rninute patterns of runnins spirals, circles and triangles. The brooches are a comlnon tQe
believed to be of Romano-British rnanufacture, probably rnade in the sout}r east of England' 8.56:976;
F,56:1711. L.4.0 cm and 1.3 cm.
Carson ttni! O'Kelly 1977, 524; S--til 1996.2-3.

[4:33] Tu'o GoLD coIN PENDA\rrs' NoU-cnq-rcp, Co. Mntru.

Early Irutn ,{ge, J-ounh centul'\t AD.
Found in the r.lcinit)., of three standing stones at the entrance to the Passage Tornb at Ne*-grange. Like
rnost of the g'old coins lrorn Neu,granee the ts.o coin pendants are from the Rornan mint at Tlier, the
rnain n-rint for north-rvest Europe. A simple suspension loop has been attached to the coins' One bears a
blst of the Emperor Constantine I u.hile the second is of Constantine II. Thev \{rere struck betrveen .\D

3l0-7 and AD 120-10 respecti\reh:. Given the strone links rvjtl-r Britain indicated b1, the jeu,ellerf. frorn the
sarnc sire it is probable that this $.as the irnmediate source of the pendants and the other: gold coins of the
period found x1 \61rrgr:rnge. E56:657;E56:476.D. 1.77 cm and 2.15 cm.
Cat'son tnd O'Kelly 1977. 37-8; Suift 1996, 3.
 t+7
IHr lRr)\ \(;r

[4:3]
Goro couan, ARD\AGIL:G, Co. Rosco,r'ntox.
Etnll' 1v111 ,1ga, third rc11.tttt1t BC.
 1+8
IRF\-\U11r,\ ()t-lHt NtItorrt \lLtst-Ltrt ot lttLL\rtr

14.4)
Gor.o conea, ARDN'\GLUG, Co. Roscol'lrrox.
Enrl1, lvsn Age, thirtl cetfiunt BC.
 1+')
Tttl Inrrx .\r,t

[a:5]
S'w'ono SCABBARD PLATE, NEAR Tool{E, Co. Al.Irur'r'
Early lron -tlge, second rcntltl'y BC.

[4:6]
SclssARD clLdPE, NE,{R RoscREA, Co. Ttnrn'n-mr-'
Enrly Iron Age, secottl cettilrt)t llc'
 1so
TnrasuRes oF THE NATIONAL MusEuM oF IRELAND
ry

[4:7]
Bnoxzr BowL, LACKTLLAND MooRETowN, FoRE, Co. Wrsrm,etr.
Early Iron Age, second century BC.
 151
THE IRON AGE
%

[4:8]
BnoNzn BowL, KESHCARRTGAN, Co. Lnrrnnr.
Ear\ Iron Age, early first century AD.
 t52
-f ti[.\sLlRr,s (]t tHL N.\ f I()NAl \4LIst,t.tll t ll

[4:9]
Swono lrrlT, B.{LLYSrt{NxoN BAY, Co. Dolu,cer.
Early hrn Age,.firct centu'ryt BC.
 153
THE [R()\ A(,F

[4:10]
Hoano oF GoLD oBJECTS, Bnorcuren, Co. Dpnnv (eaova), GoLD coLLAR, Bnolcrrrn, Co. Dtnnv (eaLow).
Enrly lron Age, first centul'y uc.
 t5+
Tnr.rsrrnps ()F lHE NI\TIONAL N,IUSI'U\I OF IRFiAND

[4:11]
Goro l.ooBt BoAT, BRoTcHTER, Co. DERRY.
Earll Irol Age, fitst r(ntury BC.
 155
I rr IR( )\ \(, t

14zL?l
Gor-u rtopnr- cALILDRoN, BnoIcurln, Co. Duxrrv.
Earh' Inn Age, Jir:t tttttlt\t BC'
 156
-l'r{r,
\SLrru si a)r r Hr \\ r()N\L N.lusELl}t ()F IREL.\\L)

[4:13]
T\,yo coro N-ECK cr,L{rNS, Bnorcuren, Co. Dururv.
Em.ly Iron Age, first centut! BC.

[4:14]
Tr,vo coro rwlsrED BAR ToRCS, BnorcurE'n, Co. Dpmy.
Errly lron Age , first cettttrt'y BCt.
 t57
THE IRON AcE
#

[4:15]
Tnumor, Loucrn+asrraoE, Co. ARMAGH.
Early lron Age, rtr$ century BC.
 158
TRr-ASIIRES ()F TilF NATToNAL Nlusruvt or Inrl..r:.to

[4216)
Trrnrp BRoNZE scABBARD &IoLNTS, L-q.ltnev Ist,eNo, Co. Dr-rerD{.
Early h'on Age, second hnlf of Jirst centur! AD.

BnoNzn coLLAR, L,qlm,{v Isr.tNn, Co. DtBrnq.

Earfi lron Age, second hnlf of firsr cennLt'y AD.
 159
TFIE ]RoN AGE

[4:18]
Bnoxzs HEAD-DRESS KNowN As rHE PBrntr CnowN, tlNLocArrsED.
Earfu lron Age, second century AD.
 160
TRE.\sLIREs or rtlE NATI()NAI Nlusrur't ()F IRt,l.\NL)

[4:19]
Dr,conrtBo BoNE sr,rps, Loucrrcnnw, Co. MB.trrr.
Ear$ Iron Age, first rcntury ,to.

[4:20]
BnoNzn MASST\aE ARIILET, Nrwnv, Co. Dovt'x.
Ear[, Iron Age, second centurJ AD.
 161
I.r rf IR()\ .\(;L

14:2ll
BRONZE BRIcELET, B.q.rrvltlnou, Co. Mo.ru'
Ertrll lron Age. secand cenfitr)! lD.

14z22l
Parn or BRoNrzE sPooNS, LNLOCAT,ISED.
Errly lron Age , .first t0 seclnd ce71tu1'y '+D'
 163
Tlrr Inorv Act
#

l4z24l
Trmm BRoNZE cIRCULAR BoxES' ConNar-anecu, Co. MoNacnau;
NevaN Fonr (El[ArN Mecne.) Co. Ar-u.tcn eru Sorcnsnr, Co' Garwav'
Early Iron Age, first to second centall AD'

f4223) facing page

Cenr,,Bo sroNE IfiAD, DRUMEAGT,E, CoRr-rcK, Co. C,lvax'
Early Iron Age, fi.r'st to second century AD'
 t6+
\.\'l-t()N\t NltisttIlt or lnrL rrLr

g.aa-,
-
.,1:;,
. :, r..l:
',:..X/*.
e*
- ,9,:
''. a,:t
i.:r.
*-Si-
*fir:
_q.
.@:.
e#rr' ??;,
nIf,
€
.,*.

':'&
-%
€8.
- g:.ai
'*,? *a

'55':
. . y".y:_i,
.'..

# v* r. #+B

I * 6 $ * €

14251
HOeno oF GOLD TORCS, I\,IBER BEADS AND BRON-ZE BRACELETS' DOoYOm, CO. l[qvO.
Etil1 Iron Age, 300 ac-200 ttt.
 155
l'HF lR()\ AcE

14261
Parn op BRONZE HoRSE-Brrs, ,{TTtrrIoN, Co' Garruv.
Earl1, It'on Age, second centuryl AD.

14z27l
Drconerno BRoNrzE DISC AND ENAMELLED HoRsE-Brr, KILtnnveN, Altronrr Co. MoN.lc}LqN.
Ear[, Iron Age, second century ,1D.
 roo
TREASUIES oF TIIE NATToNAL MusEuNI oF IRELAND

14z28l
BnoNzp Drsc, MoNAsTEREvIN, Co. Kromo.
Early lron Age, second century AD.
 167
THr IRox Acr
#

!:iil1i*'*1?ry
.. ..1- -.:.....:: .::.t:. t : .:a..,.-.t:.:...- .. .. : ..4. a a..,a,t:

14:291
DBconnrnn BRoNZE sPEARrTEAD, BoHo, Co. FnnlneNecu.
Early Iron Age, Jirst to second centull AD.
 [4:30]
RoMqN sTLVER fNIGors AND cur PLATE, BAr-r-IN'n, Co' Lr'wnrcr'
Eady lron Age, late fotuth centurl AD'
 t69
THE IRON AGE

[4:31]
Two srrwn sPIRAL RTNGS, NnwcnnNcn, Co. MEtrn.
Eat 11, Iron Age, second century AD.

14z32l
Ovar anrrr cTRCLII-AR DISC BRoocHES' NEwGRANGE, Co' Mn'ttr'
Early lrott Age, four"th centur'! AD'
 t7o
TRI, \suRE\ ()tj I III \ \lroN.\r N{ttsrLtrt <;r

[4:33]
Ttt,o cort corN pENDANrrs, NEwGRANGE, Co. MEATH.
Etrll lron Age, Jbutth cetltull AD.
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