Irish History
The Stone Age
The first Stone Age people arrived in Ireland less than 10,000 years ago. At the time Ireland was connected to Britain and Britain to mainland Europe. As the ice from the last Ice Age melted away people began moving north. It is thought that the first Stone Age people to arrive in Ireland lived in the north around Mount Sandal in County Derry, on the shores of Lough Neagh and along the Antrim coast.
The first Stone Age people arrived in Ireland less than 10,000 years ago. At the time Ireland was connected to Britain and Britain to mainland Europe. As the ice from the last Ice Age melted away people began moving north. It is thought that the first Stone Age people to arrive in Ireland lived in the north around Mount Sandal in County Derry, on the shores of Lough Neagh and along the Antrim coast.
They were dark and smokey as they had no windows. The fire was in the centre of the hut. It was used to cook food and for heat. It was the only source of light inside the hut. |
Source: Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
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They only gathered the food when they needed it. They didn't plan far ahead. This made things difficult when food was scarce. They didn't know how to grow their own crops or rear animals.
Source: Museum of Jordan
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Flint was very important for the Stone Age people. Flint tools such as these were found in the river Bann. Flint was used to make arrowheads, daggers, axes, borers, blades and scrapers. It was also used to light fires as flint sparks when it is struck. |
Small animals could be hunted with sticks and stones. Larger animals were hunted with bows and arrows. The hunters often followed wild animals from place to place. Wild boar were hunted for their meat.
Hunting large game could be dangerous so the Stone Age hunters had to think of other ways to kill their prey. They could chase the deer and boar over a cliff so that they died in the fall. Where there were no cliffs they could dig deep pits. They stuck spikes in them and covered the holes with branches and leaves to hide them. When the animals fell into the pits they were killed.
Every part of the animal was used. The meat and blood was eaten. Their skins were cleaned and used to make shelters, clothes, shoes and blankets. Bones were made into tools and jewellery. Guts and sinews were used for sowing fabric and furs together. They were also used for binding axe-heads, spears and arrowheads to wood.
Every part of the animal was used. The meat and blood was eaten. Their skins were cleaned and used to make shelters, clothes, shoes and blankets. Bones were made into tools and jewellery. Guts and sinews were used for sowing fabric and furs together. They were also used for binding axe-heads, spears and arrowheads to wood.
They travelled on foot or by boat. Dugouts and rafts were used. Coracles were also used.
By 4,000 BC the Stone Age people began to learn about farming. They cleared woodland so that they could grow crops. They also cleared areas so that their domesticated animals such as cows and goats could graze. As they became less nomadic they built more permanent dwellings. They learned how to make pottery from clay. This meant that they could store food and water for when they needed it. They also learned that animal fat could be burned to make a lamp. When the dead were buried food vessels were buried with them for the afterlife.
An ancient village was found in Céide fields. Archeologists discovered that the homes in this area were rectangular. They also found what is thought to be the oldest field system in the world.
An ancient village was found in Céide fields. Archeologists discovered that the homes in this area were rectangular. They also found what is thought to be the oldest field system in the world.
These early farmers learned how to use the materials in their locality to make what they needed. Fabric was made by using materials that were to be found locally and from the domesticated animals that they kept. Flax, grass and nettles were used. Dog hair was also used. Shells, clay and stone beads were used to make jewellery. Bones were used to make needles which could then be used to sew furs or fabric together.
Source: Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
This is what it looks like when the beam of light enters the chamber. http://www.newgrange.com/winter_solstice.htm |
Dowth and Knowth are other, smaller, passage tombs in the area. These are photographs of Knowth.
This is what the area around Newgrange looked liked during the Stone Age. You can see the passage tomb in the background. In the foreground are wooden huts. They were either thatched or covered in skin. They were arranged in clusters for protection. Domesticated animals were kept in a stockade close by. Wheat and barley were grown near by.
Building such a huge tomb during the Stone Age was a great feat. How was it done? Well, rocks were quarried ad brought up river in boats. They were then rolled on logs up the hill. As the rocks were moved forward the log at the back was removed and placed at the front. It was a very slow process.
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The Celts
The Celts came from central Europe to Ireland about 2,000 years ago. They had their own culture and language. Each tribe had a king. The Celts found and used iron to make tools and weapons. They also made beautiful jewellery. It was stronger than the other metals they had used previously. They became very powerful. However, life was difficult for them so they had to learn how to fight from an early age. Raids to gain more territory were commonplace as the king's statues depended on how much land he controlled.
The Celts came from central Europe to Ireland about 2,000 years ago. They had their own culture and language. Each tribe had a king. The Celts found and used iron to make tools and weapons. They also made beautiful jewellery. It was stronger than the other metals they had used previously. They became very powerful. However, life was difficult for them so they had to learn how to fight from an early age. Raids to gain more territory were commonplace as the king's statues depended on how much land he controlled.
The women wore long dresses which were tied at the waist with a belt. They also wore a cloak which was tied with a brooch when the weather was cold. The clothes were made of linen and wool.
They had four festivals during the year but the two most important festivals were Samhain and Bealtaine. They were great storytellers. The stories were told from generation to generation. One of these stories is the Children of Lir. Click on the picture to read the story.
They had four festivals during the year but the two most important festivals were Samhain and Bealtaine. They were great storytellers. The stories were told from generation to generation. One of these stories is the Children of Lir. Click on the picture to read the story.
Crannóg – lake dwelling
Long ago the Celts built artificial islands. On these islands the built their houses. They also kept their animals on the islands because they could protect them from from enemy clans or invaders who might want to steal them. Crannógs were found in Ireland during the Iron Age.
The crannóg was built by putting layers of stone and branches on the lake bed. The branches were woven into a kind of bottomless basket and the rocks were put inside this "basket" to keep them in place. When the island was well above the water a platform was built and it was covered with mud or sand.
A fence was built around the edge of the "island" and the houses were built inside this fence. The houses were built of wattles and mud and had a thatched roof. There was only one room in the house. The fire was in the centre of the room. The houses were dark and gloomy because there were no windows.
The people who lived on the crannóg felt safe because it was difficult to get onto the island. In some cases a hidden pathway was laid in a zig-zag pattern below the water. Only those living on the island would know where the pathway was laid. In other cases ladders, drawbridges or canoes were used to get onto the island.
Long ago the Celts built artificial islands. On these islands the built their houses. They also kept their animals on the islands because they could protect them from from enemy clans or invaders who might want to steal them. Crannógs were found in Ireland during the Iron Age.
The crannóg was built by putting layers of stone and branches on the lake bed. The branches were woven into a kind of bottomless basket and the rocks were put inside this "basket" to keep them in place. When the island was well above the water a platform was built and it was covered with mud or sand.
A fence was built around the edge of the "island" and the houses were built inside this fence. The houses were built of wattles and mud and had a thatched roof. There was only one room in the house. The fire was in the centre of the room. The houses were dark and gloomy because there were no windows.
The people who lived on the crannóg felt safe because it was difficult to get onto the island. In some cases a hidden pathway was laid in a zig-zag pattern below the water. Only those living on the island would know where the pathway was laid. In other cases ladders, drawbridges or canoes were used to get onto the island.
The Ring Fort
Like the crannóg the ring fort was an enclosed circular area where people lived and kept their animals.
When building the ring fort the first thing they did was dig out a ditch. The clay and rocks from the ditch were used to build a bank (mud wall). A strong wooden pallisade (fence) was built on top of the bank. Inside the walls they built houses and store houses. The houses were built of wattles and mud and had a thatched roof. There was only one room in the house. The fire was in the centre of the room. The houses were dark and gloomy because there were no windows.
The Souterrain
Souterrain means underground. These passages were built underground to store food like a pantry because they were well ventilated but were draft free. The temperature didn't change all that much no matter how hot the weather was outside. If needed they could be used as a hiding place during attacks on the ring fort. Usually there were more than one room in the souterrain and some of these were difficult to get into.
Like the crannóg the ring fort was an enclosed circular area where people lived and kept their animals.
When building the ring fort the first thing they did was dig out a ditch. The clay and rocks from the ditch were used to build a bank (mud wall). A strong wooden pallisade (fence) was built on top of the bank. Inside the walls they built houses and store houses. The houses were built of wattles and mud and had a thatched roof. There was only one room in the house. The fire was in the centre of the room. The houses were dark and gloomy because there were no windows.
The Souterrain
Souterrain means underground. These passages were built underground to store food like a pantry because they were well ventilated but were draft free. The temperature didn't change all that much no matter how hot the weather was outside. If needed they could be used as a hiding place during attacks on the ring fort. Usually there were more than one room in the souterrain and some of these were difficult to get into.
Farming
The Celts were farmers. They grew barley, wheat and beans. They went fishing in the lakes and rivers for fish. They also hunted for wild animals such as wild boar.
The Celts were farmers. They grew barley, wheat and beans. They went fishing in the lakes and rivers for fish. They also hunted for wild animals such as wild boar.
Fulacht Fia
This picture shows a reconstructed cooking site that was common throughout the country. Hunting parties used them over a long period of time, from the early Bronze Age to the Elizabethan period.
This picture shows a reconstructed cooking site that was common throughout the country. Hunting parties used them over a long period of time, from the early Bronze Age to the Elizabethan period.
A rectangular hole was dug in low-lying land where it was sure to fill with water. This was lined with animal skins to make it waterproof. Stones were heated on a fire and where thrown into the trough to boil the water. A joint of venison was then wrapped in straw and put into the boiling water to cook.
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Brehon law was the system of laws used by the native Irish. Men and women were equal. Each class of person was defined under the law and if any wrongdoing was committed against them the offender would be fined. This fine might be paid in cows for example.
Ogham
The Early Irish Church
The Celts were pagans. They believed in many gods and goddesses. Gradually they turned to Christianity. A lot of men became monks and they spent their lives in monasteries around the country.
The Celts were pagans. They believed in many gods and goddesses. Gradually they turned to Christianity. A lot of men became monks and they spent their lives in monasteries around the country.
The Vikings
The Vikings were fierce warriors. They attacked the monasteries so that they could steal the gold and silver ornaments held within them. The monks built towers made of stone in which to store the valuables. These circular towers were tall and narrow. The door was three or four metres from the ground. The reason for this was that if the monastery was being attached the monks could climb the ladder and pull it in after them. They would stay there until it was safe to come down.
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Dublin was raided by the Vikings in the 820ties and
830ties. In 841 they began building a settlement around the area in
which the moored the ships. Some of those that came from Scandinavia
were farmers looking for land, others were traders while others were
pirates on raids.
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The Vikings put up tents when they needed temporary shelter. Gradually the homes would have become more permanent. |
The style of Viking homes varied from place to place. Some were built with wooden planks. Some were built with wattle. In areas where wattle couldn't be found stone, earth or turf was used to build houses.
The Anglo-Normans
The Anglo-Normans captured Dublin in 1170. The city walls were rebuilt or reinforced. Some buildings such as Christchurch Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Cathedral were rebuilt. This is what Dublin would have looked like in medieval times. You can see Christchurch cathedral in the middle of the picture. You can also see the walls of the city.
The Anglo-Normans captured Dublin in 1170. The city walls were rebuilt or reinforced. Some buildings such as Christchurch Cathedral and Saint Patrick's Cathedral were rebuilt. This is what Dublin would have looked like in medieval times. You can see Christchurch cathedral in the middle of the picture. You can also see the walls of the city.
Source: Dublinia
Some homes in Medieval Dublin were simple one-roomed buildings where people slept, cooked, lived and worked.
They had many servants to do the work in the kitchen and around the house.
It was often the case that ten or more people lived in the houses in those days.
Those that were wealthy had banquets.
Markets, where people sold goods, were to be found in many medieval towns.
There would have been stalls to sell cloth, bread and pies.
Some shops were in the lower part of the house.
There were also entertainers such as jugglers, dancers and acrobats. Even dancing bears performed!
Scribes set up stalls at the market. For a fee they wrote business contracts or wills for those that needed them. These could be written in Latin or other languages. Some of the scribes were priests. As well as writing wills or contracts they could sell Papal indulgences. If you bought one of these you could get a pardon for your sins! |
No one during this period really knew what caused illnesses. They thought that they were a punishment from God because of people's sins. The religious orders were often the ones who cared for the sick.
It was thought that illnesses were caused by "imbalances" in your "humours". If they thought you had too much blood they made you bleed! If you needed an operation or to get teeth pulled you might have to go to the barber-surgeon. Sometimes these "surgeons" weren't even barbers...they were butchers!
Leather was used to saddles, gloves and shoes. Shoes were valuable so were repaired over and over. The shoe maker in the middle-ages made shoes to order. Rich people could buy the latest fashion. One of these shoes was called the Poulaine. It had a long narrow toe that was stuffed with straw and moss. Sometimes it was so long that it had to be attached to a band at the person's knee!
Blacksmiths made weapons such as swords. They also made horse-shoes to protect the horses hooves.
The weaver then used this thread to make fabric which was sold at the marketplace.
Source: Dublinia
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The ports were very important at the time. There were many of them around the coast. Goods were imported and exported through these ports. Goods such as fish, wool, furs and linen were exported. While salt, wine, sugar and spices were imported. |
For those that lived outside the cities things were different. They lived in more traditional homes, built with materials that were found easily in the vicinity of where they lived.
Bunratty Castle & Fold Park