History of The Iron Age Period in Ireland
The Iron Age in Ireland was dominated by the arrival of a new group of people who brought with them much advancement in culture, language and technology. These people were known as the Celts. They came from central Europe and spread to other countries reaching Ireland approximately 500BC. This arrival of new visitors brought the Bronze Age to an end and from this point on Ireland’s culture would flourish continuing right through to the current day.
There is no historical records from the Iron Age period in Ireland which is why it’s known as prehistoric. Historians have had to rely on archaeological findings to piece together what Ireland might have been like during the Iron Age.
How did people live in Ireland during the Iron Age?
It is believed the Iron Age people lived in family groups helping each other work the land for sources of food. They would have had farms consisting of cattle, pigs, sheep, grain and vegetables so land would have held some importance to them. They would have used horses, probably to help with farming, as Y-shaped pendants, harnesses to help lead horses, had been found in more recent times.
Their diet probably consisted of wild berries, fruits, nuts and herbs that were gathered from the surrounding landscape. They would have also hunted animals for food and fished the rivers and the vast Irish shores.
Crannógs were probably used around this time. Crannógs are small circular like forts built on small islands on a lake. Thousands of these have been found all over Ireland with the biggest concentration in the midlands and north west areas. Crannógs would be connected to dry land by a causeway, either built by stone or wood. Crannógs remained in use until up until the 1600's and had become the stronghold for some Gaelic chieftains.
Spritual and religious beliefs of Iron Age Ireland
There is very little known, if anything, about the religious beliefs of the Iron Age people in Ireland. To really try and understand what the people may have believed much research is required by looking at historical evidence dating from the later medieval period and by what was recorded in Britain or Gaul. However, many of the finest artefacts from Ireland's Iron Age are usually found as part of a hoard. Deposited in places like bogs, lakes, rivers and along the seashore its believed these hoards were actually votive offerings as part of a ritual.
According to Ireland’s Museum the hoarded artefacts found fall into a number of categories including:
- Personal ornaments
- Weapons
- Tools
- Horse furniture and harnesses
- Feasting equipment
Some of the finest examples of bronze work and gold artefacts have been found in hoards during river drainage schemes and the cutting of peat bogs during the 19th Century. It’s likely many more hoards remain unfound in Ireland today.
Ireland's Bog Bodies from the Iron Age
Mummified bodies have also been found in Ireland’s bogs; these have become known as the bog bodies and have also been found in Northern Europe and Britain. It’s believed these are remains of people who were killed as part of a sacrificial ritual during the Iron Age.
Two of the bog bodies found in Ireland dating from the Iron Age are named the Gallagh man and Oldcroghan.
The Gallagh Man (400 – 200BC) may have been 25 years old when he died. He was found pinned to peat by two long stakes a practice from Denmark which was part of a ritual.
Oldcroghan (305BC - 175BC) had faced a horrible death. He was repeatedly stabbed and cut before being dismembered. Only his torso was found but it’s believed he would have been 6’ 6” tall. Many debate on why he may have faced a horrible death with some believing he must have committed a bad crime and others suggesting he was killed for ritual beliefs.
Over 80 bog bodies have been found in Ireland dating from the Iron Age to the late Medieval Ireland.
- National Museum of Ireland - Iron Age
- Ulster Museum - Iron Age Metalwork
- Information on Bog Bodies
- Tales from the Bog
