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Archive for the ‘Archaeology’ Category

(1000-1100) Life in Ireland in the 11th century

Posted in 11th century, Archaeology, Dublin, Dublin history, Episode 16, Episodes, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, tagged , , , , , , , on November 20, 2012 | 2 Comments »

Episode 16. The year is 1067. Godwin Godwinson the son and heir to the dead Saxon king Harold Godwinson fled to Ireland after the Norman Invasion of England. This podcast looks at the world he found in Ireland. How did he travel to Ireland? What did Dublin look like, sound like and smell like? What did people eat? What did they look like? What weapons did people use? What was the Brehon law? All this and much more is answered in this podcast which follows the heirs of Harald Godwinson through Ireland in 1067.

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Life in the Ireland in the 11th Century

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Photo Essay: Lea Castle a medieval fortress

Posted in Archaeology, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, tagged , , on November 19, 2012 | 3 Comments »

Lea castle stands in remote spot on the head waters of the Barrow river, two miles east of Portarlington Co. Laois. These ruins once withstood numerous medieval sieges and witnessed some of the greatest events in Irish medieval history but today they are a skeletal reminder of this of long gone society. Destroyed over four hundred years ago Lea has not changed much since its final fight when Cromwell’s new model army destroyed the castle in 1651.  As  great stone keep collapsed at Lea, with it came down the final curtain on the medieval world drawing to a close the era of such fortresses. Today these lonely ruins are all that remains of that world.

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In search of medieval Dublin in the modern city

Posted in Archaeology, Dublin, Dublin history, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, tagged , , , , on September 19, 2012 | 6 Comments »

Much is made of Dublin’s medieval history but what is left of that medieval city today? In this post I have gone in search of the remains of medieval Dublin in the modern city.

Often the buildings and structures we associate with the medieval city are far more recent than we imagine.  Dublin castle for example is almost entirely a post-medieval structure – the medieval castle was destroyed in the 17th century while the walls beneath St Audeon’s church on Cooke Street are a modern reconstruction. So if these are not medieval where is medieval Dublin?

Medieval Dublin

The walled city of medieval Dublin was very small – less than one square mile. Its extents were between Dublin castle in the east to Bridge street  in the west and the river Liffey at its northern extreme to the Ross road in the South. The city had two major suburbs – in the Thomas street area which was heavily damaged in the siege of 1317 and Oxmantown which was situated in the Stoneybatter area of Dublin on the north side of the river. There were also three major religious foundations in close proximity to the city. These were St Mary’s Abbey situated in the vicinity of Mary street / Capel street area, the Augustinian monastery of All Hallows which stood where Trinity College is situated today and finally the Knights Hospitallar had a major foundation in Kilmainham. While the city’s geographical size may not have been much bigger than a large village today in the late 13th century the population exceeded 10,000 (some argue it may have been as high as 25,000).

However the vast majority of Dublin’s inhabitants have disappeared without a trace remaining. Their houses have been built over numerous times and their lives are only revealed in archaeological excavations. The remains of the medieval city that survive the test of time are invariably stone structures and tend to be in use constantly or by luck have been encased in later structures. Here are the ones I came across surviving in the modern city that are accessible today. If I have missed any I would love to hear. (more…)

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A journey through medieval county Kilkenny in pictures

Posted in 14th century, Anglo Norman, Archaeology, audiobook, Black death, castles, Gaelic Ireland, Hall House, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Norman Invasion, tagged , , , , on August 28, 2012 | 6 Comments »

County Kilkenny has perhaps one of the highest concentrations of medieval remains in Ireland. Conquered in the decades after the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169, the area was heavily restructured. This saw an intensive and large-scale building programme begin as towns, castles and abbeys popped up across the landscape. As society became increasingly unstable and violent in the late 13th and 14th centuries the area was heavily fortified. This photo essay is meandering journey across four sites in a small area of Kilkenny – Thomastown, where you can get some impression of what a medieval landscape may have looked like and what can be seen there today. This journey is easy to replicate – there is a map of the area at the end of the article.

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Ballybeg Priory, co. Cork

Posted in Anglo Norman, Archaeology, Catholic Church, Christianity, Gaelic Ireland, tagged , , on July 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

I am currently finishing episode 14 of the podcast. Hopefully it will be out early next week, in the meantime here is a short photoessay of Ballybeg priory, Co. Cork.

Situated close to the medieval town of Buttevant in North Cork the priory itself is in pretty poor condition but is definately worth a look if your in the area. Ballybeg priory was an Augustine foundation constructed in 1229 and patronised by the de Barry family. The de Barry’s were an Anglo Norman family who conquered east Cork building numerous sites across the county including Barryscourt Castle. The priory was dedicated to the martyr St Thomas Beckett killed in mysterious circumstances by retainers of Henry II in 1170.

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Famine, War and Plague: In Search of a Medieval Crisis.

Posted in 14th century, Anglo Norman, Annals, Archaeology, audiobook, Bishop of Ossory, Black death, castles, Civil war, Dublin, Dublin history, Economy, famine, Gaelic Ireland, Gaelic revival, Hall House, historical tours, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, Norman Invasion, Plague, The Black Death, tagged , , , , , , , , , on July 4, 2012 | 13 Comments »

In the 14th century Europe experienced one of the worst crises in recorded human history which saw war, famine and plague decimate the population. In Ireland this crisis developed in a society already wracked by deep divisions and political upheaval.

Although brewing for decades this crisis began in earnest in 1315 when one of the worst famines of medieval history gripped Ireland.This was followed by a period of extreme violence between the resurgent Gaelic Irish and the Norman Barons. The crisis reached its zenith when the Black Death struck Ireland killing between 30% and 50% of the population in 1348 and early 1349.

This 14th century crisis is the subject of an upcoming audiobook I am writing at the moment and here’s a taste of what to expect!

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Photo essay: Loughmoe Castle.

Posted in 17th century, Anglo Norman, Archaeology, castles, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, Irish history, tour, tagged , , , , , on April 4, 2012 | 4 Comments »

Loughmoe Castle is situated on the banks of the river Suir in North Tipperary. Built between the 15th and 17th centuries it was the seat of Barons of Loughmoe, the Anglo-Norman Purcell family. The earliest surviving structure on the site is a tower house which was transformed into the northern wing of a fortified house in the 17th century. In its new form as a fortified house the castle composed of two towers joined by what was known in the locality as “the court”. The castle stands outside the village of Loughmoe, close to the ruins of Loughmoe Abbey and the resting place of the famous Cormack brothers. Despite these widespread renovations Loughmoe castle was abandoned by the mid 18th century.

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(1000 -1022) Brian Boru, The Battle of Clontarf and its aftermath

Posted in 10th century, 11th century, Annals, Archaeology, Battle of Clontarf, Brian Boru, Dal Cais, Dublin history, Episode 11, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast, Vikings, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2012 | 5 Comments »

Episode 11. Brian Boru is without doubt Ireland’s most well known medieval figure while a battle he fought in 1014, the Battle of Contarf, is Irelands most famous medieval conflict. In this podcast we look at the real story behind Brian and the Battle of Clontarf. How did he become high-king? Was he really the first man to unify Ireland? Why did Vikings from as far away as the Orkney Islands flock to Ireland and assemble on a field in Clontarf, North of Dublin to face down Brian Boru and his allies in 1014? What happened after Brian Boru died?

This podcast also tells the unknown but fascinating story of the wars he waged against the Northern kings between 1002-1011 in his conquest for power in a world of intrigue and betrayal…..

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(1000-1022) Brian Boru, the Battle of Clontarf and its Aftermath

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Mont St Michel: Pictures worth a few hundred words.

Posted in Archaeology, French history, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, tagged on November 16, 2011 | 1 Comment »

They say a picture says 1000 words so I am hoping these might scrape a few hundred together at least, since I have no time to write an article. I am currently busy writing  an audiobook that was originally about the Black Death (1348-49) but has now expanded to incorporate the affects of the Bruce invasion and the 1315-18 famine aswell.

Mont St Michel is probably the most impressive medieval site I have ever seen and without doubt the most expensive. A mixture between the set of “Lord of the Rings” and “The Name of the Rose” it is awe inspiring. Situated in Northern France the monastery was built on a rocky outcrop in a bay in Normandy and was fortified during the 100 years war giving it a militaristic appearance at times. Its architecture is incredible particularly the cathedral supported on the summit. On a visit there last summer I took these pictures.

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(980 -1000) The Pursuit of Power (Part III): A New Millenium and A New King.

Posted in 10th century, Annals, Archaeology, Brian Boru, Dal Cais, Dublin, early medieval, Episode 10, Gaelic Ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast on November 3, 2011 | 7 Comments »

Episode 10 sees the emergence of a titantic struggle between the two major players of the late 10th century – the O Neill High King, Maelseachnaill II and Brian Boru, the King of Munster. This war was without question one of  the greatest conflicts in early medieval Ireland.

In a story full of intriguing naval attacks, sieges and deceit the superpowers of 10th century Ireland, unleash their devastating military power on each other with fascinating consequences.  This episode also takes a look at daily life in Ireland  around 1000 CE recreating the sights and smells while looking at the strange diseases that could kill you if war didnt get you first!

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The Pursuit of Power (Part III) A New Millennium and A New King (980 – 1000)

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Virtual tour of Caernarfon Castle, Wales

Posted in 14th century, Archaeology, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe on October 28, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Built by Edward III in the 13th century, Caernarfon castle is one of the most impressive castles in Britain. Situated in Gwynedd on the north-west coast of Wales it is an enormous structure unlike any castle still standing in Ireland. Along with with several other castles in the region including Conwy and Beaumaris it was constructed in reaction to Welsh revolts in the 13th century.

 

Costing an astronomical £20,000 at the time Edward felt it was a better use of resources than endless wars. Although never completed Caernarfon is a truly enormous construction and is only second to Conwy in its imposing nature. The design was influenced by the walls of Constantinople which Edward had seen when on crusade.Like all Edward’s castles in North Wales, Caernarfon was built with defence in mind and is situated on the coast so it could be supplied from the sea in a siege. Due to the fact Caernarfon was never complete we get an insight into how medieval castle walls were constructed as you can see in the virtual tour below.

The slide show moves quite fast, but if you click stop  you can manually move through the photos at your pace

 

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Getting to North Wales  from Ireland is relatively easy. Several ferry services run from Dublin to Hollyhead daily and from there it easy to take a train to Bangor. At Bangor you can either get a bus to Caernarfon castles or continue on the train to the equally amazing Conwy Castle

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8 Reasons why the Building Boom was bad for Irish Archaeology

Posted in Archaeology, Irish history on August 17, 2011 | 13 Comments »

Over the past 20 years the number of archaeological excavations soared in Ireland. This is almost exclusively because of the building boom. Many people have argued that this was good for archaeology and our understanding of the past. Having worked in the industry I can convinced the opposite is true. The last 20 years have seen unprecedented destruction of archaeological sites across Ireland that were poorly excavated, poorly reported and are now gone forever.

I am not opposed to building on the remains of the past – every society in history has done it but this should be done within reason and properly recorded. In Ireland, the money invested in archaeology was wasted and many of the processes that lead to the current financial mess also changed archaeology into what was effectively a demolition industry. I think this happened primarily for the following 8 reasons. I would be really interested to hear what you think or your experience was.

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Special: The story of Ireland’s Spanish Armada Shipwrecks

Posted in 16th century, Archaeology, ireland, Irish history, Podcast, Spanish Armada, Spanish History, tagged , , , on August 8, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Over the last week archaeologists have begun to excavate the remains of a shipwreck from the Spanish Armada. Lying off the coast of County Donegal, the timbers, musketballs and pottery found so far  reveal a tantalising glimpse of what else may lie on the sea bed. In this podcast, first released in 2010, you can hear how ships from the Spanish Armada came to lie off the coast of Ireland, what has been found on excavations to date and what else we can expect to turn up.

The Podcast was made in 2010 to celebrate National Heritage Week. This year National Heritage Week is coming up between the 20th and the 28th of August. There is loads of great events on over the 8 days . To find a full list of events check out http://www.heritageweek.ie/

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Special: The Story of Ireland’s Spanish Armada Shipwrecks (2010)

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I am currently working on a short audiobook on the Black Death in Ireland. Set to the backdrop of 14th century war, famine and the impacts of a changing climate the book will be several hours long and will be available for a small fee in October 2011. Stay tuned for more updates.

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Dunmore Cave: following in the footsteps of 1100 year old murderers.

Posted in 10th century, Annals, Archaeology, early medieval, episode 3, Gaelic Ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Vikings, tagged , , on July 5, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Dunmore cave, Co Kilkenny is pretty unique. Aside from its impressive geological features, it is one of the few places in Ireland where archaeology and history match up perfectly shedding light on a particularly dark chapter in the caves history.

Deep in a dark recess of Dunmore cave the discovery of human remains and viking coins verify a grim entry from the Annals of the Four Masters about a massacre in 930. This discovery gives a terrifyingly vivid insight into early medieval ireland, often difficult since much of the landscape has changed so much.

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The story of the Ape in Iron Age Ireland – Whats the big deal?

Posted in Archaeology, Gaelic Ireland, ireland, Irish history, Prehistory, tagged , , on June 30, 2011 | 2 Comments »

In the 1970′s the skull and jaw of a Barbary Ape were discovered at the Iron Age site of Navan Fort (Eamhain Mhacha) in Armagh, dating from sometime between 300-100 B.C.E. The Ape, or at least its skull and jaw had travelled thousands of kilometres across Iron Age Europe and Africa to Ireland.

When we put this in the context that the Romans were still fighting wars a few miles from Rome itself at this stage, its seems incredible and mysterious that an ape’s skull should arrive in Ireland at this point. There’s a real temptation to write a history/archaeology mystery piece about this, but the story is probably far more straight forward, indeed the focus on the mystery aspect tells us more about how we view the world than what past societies were like!

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(944 – 980) The Pursuit of Power (part II): The Rise of Brian Boru and the Dál Cais

Posted in 10th century, Annals, Archaeology, Brian Boru, Christianity, Civil war, Dal Cais, Dublin, Dublin history, early medieval, Economy, Episode 8, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, Podcast, Vikings, tagged , , , , , , , on June 28, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Episode 8 sees medieval Ireland stand of the edge of a precipice. A rootless struggle for control of the O Neill kingdom breaks out in the North,  while in Munster a new comer to the podcast – the Dal Cais challengthe King of Munster for power in the South. While Ireland is on the verge of chaos we look at these wars and how people struggled through a very tough period of not only war but famine, hard winters and an out break of leprosy and dysentery. By the end of the show Medieval Ireland will have changed and Brian Boru will have started his rise to power……

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The Rise of Brian Boru and the Dál Cais (944 – 980)

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Glossary of individuals featured and further reading

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Who’s the missing martyr?

Posted in 20th Century, Archaeology, Christianity, Dublin history, Irish history, tour, tagged on March 2, 2011 | 4 Comments »

I have been meaning to put this up since I wrote an article about St Peters church Phibsboro. Situated across the road from St Peter’s Catholic Church is a small neat Baptist church. Constructed in 1903 it was once one of the two main Baptist churches in Dublin, the other being in Rathmines.  It was converted into offices in the 1990’s. The red bricked structure is quite plain like you might expect.

The aspect that really caught my eye was the four busts of church reformers, two on each door.  One is in great condition; two are severely worn, while the fourth is unrecognisable. The three remaining are Huss, Tyndale and Latimer all executed reformers, so its safe to assume the fourth is a protestant martyr too. Anyone have any suggestions? It seems that the busts move chronologically from left to right which would put the missing martyr’s death between 1536-1555….

While it’s not worth a journey to see on its own its worth a look if your checking out Broadstone, Grangegorman and St Peters all in the same part of Dublin.

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(919-944) The Pursuit of Power (pt. 1) The Decline of the O’Neills

Posted in 10th century, Annals, Archaeology, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast, Vikings, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 3, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Episode 6 is the start of a fascinating story, full of twists and turns. Over the next three shows we will see the O Neill kingdom who have dominated the first five shows see their power challenged by the Dal Cais (the family of Brian Boru). This will see many challengers rise and fall as these two families battle it out for supremacy in medieval Ireland.

The show begins with the rule of the O’Neill High King Donnchad Donn who came to power in 919. His life was intertwined with one of the greatest O’Neill warriors Muircherteach Mac Neill, eulogised on his death as “the hector of the west”. Find out how he earned that name and where Brian Boru’s family, the Dal Cais family originated.

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The Pursuit of Power (part 1)- The Decline of the O Neills

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Photo Essay: A brief history of Medieval Kilkenny in Pictures

Posted in Archaeology, castles, cromwell, early medieval, Gaelic Ireland, historical tours, ireland, Irish history, Medieval history, Medieval Monasticism, tagged , , , , , , , , on January 17, 2011 | 3 Comments »

Kilkenny castle

Kilkenny more than any other  Irish city has a distinctively medieval feel about it. Its small streets wind around several medieval buildings whilst its skyline is still dominated by a 13th century castle and cathedral. Through some of these buildings we can reconstruct the major events of the city’s past from witch trials to the black death.

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(902-930) Changing Times: Ireland 902-930

Posted in 10th century, 9th Century, Archaeology, Bibliography, Dublin, early medieval, Economy, Eoganacht, episode 5, Gaelic Ireland, historiography, ireland, Irish history, Medieval Europe, Medieval history, O Neills, Podcast, Vikings, tagged , , , , , , , on November 4, 2010 | Leave a Comment »

Episode 5

Episode five  is an exciting journey through one of the most turbulent times in Medieval Ireland. The years 902- 930 see Ireland’s most powerful faction – The O Neill kingdom go to war with their traditional enemies – The Eoganacht. After three years of war only one survives creating a power vacuum, which the Vikings fill, starting yet another war! This show looks a series of major wars in Ireland and how they profoundly shaped Ireland and the people who lived through them. I hope you enjoy it – I appreciate feed back  to history@irishhistorypodcast.ie

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Changing Times Ireland 902 – 930

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