Irish Archaeology on the Internet: topographical list

Websites devoted to individual areas or sites, and some more general sites with local relevance

I. Northern Ireland

General N.I./Ulster sites

Cruithni. A brief overview of Ulster history, with good prehistoric sections. Also book reviews.
Environment & Heritage Service, Northern Ireland - The Environment and Heritage Agency within the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland with responsibility for the protection, recording and conservation of monuments and buildings in Northern Ireland and aims to enhance public awareness by publicity, publications and education. Also Responsible for scheduling historic monuments and listing buildings of special architectural or historic interest. There are some 180 monuments in state care. Other duties include excavation, recording the built heritage, the NI Monuments and Buildings Record, publication and education.
Northern Ireland clickable map (from Queen's University, Belfast) with short notes on a number of sites including Ardboe High Cross and Tullaghoge fort/inauguration site.
The Northern Ireland Sites and Monuments Record can now be searched on line through the Archaeological Data Service in York - approximately 14,500 sites with details including site name, periods of use, townlands, grid references and a brief description of each site.
The Northern Ireland section of the Current Archaeology Directory of British Archaeology. Not very up-to-date, it gives the 'last known address' of various organisations, and includes the long-defunct Organisation of Irish Archaeologists.
Ulster Journal of Archaeology: the archaeological journal for the Province, published by the Ulster Archaeological Society.
Ulster Local Studies: published by the Federation for Ulster Local Studies. Local history, placenames, archaeology.

Antrim

Sites in County Antrim. Short illustrated notes on the mediaeval castles of Carrickfergus and Dunluce.
Queen's University, Belfast Website of the School of Archaeology and Palaeoecology. A section called 'local interest' has a clickable map leading to illustrated notes on a number of sites in Northern Ireland.

Armagh

Sites in County Armagh. A short illustrated note on Navan Fort, and Iron Age royal site and ritual place.
The Church of Ireland cathedral in Armagh was built on 1268 on the site where, according to tradition, St. Patrick built a stone church in 445 AD.
Seanchas Ardmacha: journal of the Armagh Diocesan Historical Society.
Emania: journal of research connected with Navan Fort.

Down

Sites in County Down. Short illustrated notes on Legananny Dolmen and the grave of St. Patrick.
Ballyhalbert Historical Society: the History and Archaeology of Ballyhalbert, a coastal village on the Ards Peninsula. Includes photographs of a local standing stone and motte, and notes on a 19th-century brickworks (now a nature reserve) and the site of a mediaeval priory.

Fermanagh

Clogher Historical Society. Studying the history of the Diocese of Clogher, which encompasses all of county Monaghan, most of Fermanagh, a large part of Tyrone and small portions of both Louth and Donegal.
Clogher Record: Historical journal for the Diocese of Clogher.

Londonderry

Sites in County Londonderry. Short note on the history of County Londonderry, including its early mediaeval origins.
Londonderry City. An account of its history and monuments.
The Carrick East dolmen, near Limavady. Illustrated description plus the 1936 excavation report by J.B. Mullen and O.Davies. Part of a site called Welcome to Limavady and the Roe Valley. German version also available. Another page deals with the Broighter hoard, a collection of gold objects from the Iron Age found in 1896.
Dungiven Priory. Based on an undergraduate dissertation on the Priory and the 14th-century O'Cahan tomb.

Tyrone

Clogher Historical Society. Studying the history of the Diocese of Clogher, which encompasses all of county Monaghan, most of Fermanagh, a large part of Tyrone and small portions of both Louth and Donegal.
Clogher Record: Historical journal for the Diocese of Clogher.
Dúiche Néill: Journal of the O'Neill Country Historical Society, centred on County Tyrone

II. Republic of Ireland

Carlow

Guide to various sites in County Carlow, including Browne's Hill Dolmen.
Carloviana: local historical journal published by the Old Carlow Society.

Cavan

Notes on various news items related to the history of Cavan, including the finding of a Bronze Age cist burial near Bailieborough and the presentation of the Killycluggin stone to the County Museum. Chronology of Cavan history, including a map of 13th-century AD sites in the county. Kilmore: Photograph of 12th-century Romanesque doorway moved from nearly Trinity Island.
General site on County Cavan, with information on the Cavan County Museum, the Drumline monastic site and St. Killian's heritage centre.
Cavan County Museum: details of opening hours, location, and highlights of the Dingle Peninsula Heritage collection, including pictures of the Killycluggin Stone, the Lavey Sheela-na-gig and the Corleck stone head.
Breifne: historical journal covering the area of the ancient kingdom of Breifne (Breifny), centred on County Cavan.

Clare

Dal gCais: Historical journal for County Clare, focusing especially on the south-east.
The Other Clare: Historical journal for the western (especially south-western) part of the county. More archaeology than in the other Clare journals.
Sliabh Aughty: Historical journal for East Clare.
North Munster Antiquarian Journal: details and tables of contents.

Cork

Mediaeval Cork. An introduction to the above-ground remains of the mediaeval city of Cork, and a description of the buried traces investigated by archaeologists.
Blarney Castle, a mid-15^th century castle much visited by tourists who kiss the famous Blarney Stone.
University College, Cork Information about the Department of Archaeology and the various courses available.
Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Founded in 1891 for the collection, preservation and diffusion of all available information regarding the City and County of Cork. These objects were subsequently extended to Munster and worldwide. The society has published a journal since 1892, now being republished on CD-ROM.
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society: details and tables of contents.
Mallow Archaeological & Historical Society. The Mallow Field Club organises field trips and lectures and publishes an annual journal. Its field of interest is the history and archaeology of the area round Mallow, in the northern part of County Cork.
Mizen Journal: Historical journal for the area round Mizen Head.
Bantry Historical and Archaeological Society Journal.

Donegal

Lough Swilly Archaeological Survey A research project which was concerned with identifying and interpreting evidence for Later Mesolithic and Neolithic settlement in this region of eastern County Donegal. Includes a number of essays and a slide show of the project.
Donegal Historical Society. Information about membership, field trips, and the Society's museum. Also tables of contents from the Donegal Annual, and papers from the current volume (with a useful option to download them as Word files).
Donegal Annual: details and tables of contents.
Glencolmcille School of Archaeology : Oideas Gael offers a week-long program in archaeology every August. The course is under the direction of Professor Michael Herity.

Dublin

Chapters of Dublin. Everything you need to study the history of Dublin! (well, almost). The complete text of a number of books on Dublin City and County, including Harris's History and Antiquities of the City of Dublin (1766). Also more recent county histories by Ball and Joyce, and a number of shorter articles. Photographs and maps too. Regularly updated with new additions. Alternative URLs: http://dublinhistory.net/ and http://dublinhistory.com/
Dublin Historical Record: the journal of the Old Dublin Society.
Dublin's Water: the history of Dublin's water supply, including a description of the mediaeval City Watercourse and associated works. On-line edition of a leaflet published by the Department of the Environment.
Short introduction to Mediaeval Dublin by Dr. Howard Clarke, University College Dublin: on-line edition of a leaflet published by the Department of the Environment.
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. Completed in 1240, it was built on the site of a wooden Viking church of 1038. Information about the cathedral and its history, including details of a project to record all the loose mediaeval stones stored in the crypt (the building was heavily restored in the 19th century).
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, built 1200-1270 on the site of an earlier church. Later associated with Jonathan Swift. Information about the cathedral and its history, with photographs of early mediaeval grave slabs found during restoration work in the 19th century.
Ancient buildings in Dublin: Part of a site about Irish architecture, this is an introduction with photographs to mediaeval and 17th-century buildings in Dublin. The mediaeval examples are: Christ Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. Mary's Abbey, St. Audoen's Church and the City Walls.
Dublin's Castles: a guide to the many castles and mottes in County Dublin, complete with distribution map.
Skerries, County Dublin. VRML animations of Church Island, with its Early Mediæval church.
Dublin Historical Record: journal of the Old Dublin Society. Information and tables of contents.

Galway

On-line edition of The History and Antiquities of Lough Corrib, by William R. Wilde, first published in 1867. Both text and pictures are provided, but the text, scanned and uploaded in March 1996, has not yet been corrected, and some illustrations have yet to be added.

On-line edition of James Hardiman's history of Galway. Along with the Wilde book mentioned above, and the Chapters of Dublin site, this represents the ideal sort of contribution which the Internet can make to the study of archaeology and history. Readers anywhere in the world now have access to these rare texts at little or no expense.
Tuam Cathedral, County Galway, is a 19th-century building but incorporates a 12th-century chancel arch and houses a 12th-century high cross. The site also includes information on other antiquities in the area.
University College, Galway The Department of Archaeology's very practical and informative site
Kennys' Bookshop and Art Galleries, Galway. This shop, well-known among archaeologists and historians in Ireland and abroad, specialises in new and second-hand books of Irish interest. This on-line service allows you to search the catalogue and to order books.
Walking Ireland: Walking tours of the Connemara area led by archaeologist Michael Gibbons. They range from day-trips to week-long package tours in this region of spectacular scenery and ancient sites.
Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society: details and tables of contents.
Connemara: the journal of the Clifden and Connemara Heritage Group
Galway Roots: journal specialising in Galway genealogy. Some archaeological articles.

Kerry

Archaeology of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry In this picturesque area, a peninsula about 30 miles long, there are almost 2000 sites. Descriptions of six of the most important are given, including Gallarus Oratory, part of an early mediaeval monastic site.
Corca Dhuibhne Regional Museum: Details of the museum of history and antiquities of the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry. Artifacts from excavations in the area are on display, as are cross-slabs and ogham stones. Facilities include a cafe and a bookshop.
Oidhreacht Corca Dhuibhne/Dingle Peninsula Heritage: A very active local society which has encouraged and assisted in excavation work in the Dingle Peninsula, and has also sponsored some excavations of its own and published a full archaeological survey of the peninsula.
Ross Island Mine Heritage and Tourism Site The mining of copper and other metals in Killarney, County Kerry, from the beginnings of the Bronze Age to the 18th century AD. Described and illustrated by Dr. William O'Brien of University College Galway, who excavated the prehistoric workings for some years. The site includes a clickable map and drawing, and a PowerPoint presentation which can be downloaded. There is also tourist information for visitors.
Kerry County Museum: information on this museum in Tralee. Mirrored on the Grand Hotel, Tralee site.

Journal of the Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society. Information and tables of contents.

Kildare

Local History in North Kildare: Site by Hermann Geissel with a focus on archaeology. Photographs of various sites and information on the journal Oughterany. Also list of available back-issues of the Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society. Text auch auf Deutsch.
Grange Castle: A late 15th-century castle in County Kildare, recently restored. The restoration project is continuing, and includes the gardens and adjoining buildings, one of which will house a collection of Bronze Age artifacts found in the Edenderry area.
Kildare Archaeological Society. Founded in 1891 to promote the study of the antiquities of County Kildare and surrounding districts. The Society's website gives details about membership, forthcoming events, and the Journal.
Journal of the County Kildare Archaeological Society: details and tables of contents.

Kilkenny

Old Kilkenny Review: journal of the Kilkenny Archaeological Society. Information and table of contents.
Short illustrated note on Jerpoint Abbey, County Kilkenny , with photographs of Kells Priory in the same county.

Leitrim

Leix (Queen's County)

Excavations at Dunamase Castle, County Leix, and the gatehouse of Nenagh Castle, Tipperary. Reports by Brian Hodkinson, along with brief notes on his other excavations of recent years. No illustrations as yet.
A general County Council site. Follow the links history > archaeology to find a short report on an iron age burial with metalwork excavated at Ballydavis.

Limerick

Ecclesiastical treasures of Limerick Diocese: the 15th-century O'Dea crosier and mitre, the 17th-century Arthur Cross and Chalice, and the 8th-century Ardagh Chalice.
Lough Gur. A guide to this area, famous for its prehistoric remains. The site, which is part of the Leonardo 2000 Project, highlighting places of cultural importance in Europe, also provides information on accommodation and entertainment in the area.
Hunt Museum, Limerick. Museum which houses the collection assembled by John and Gertrude Hunt. It is particularly rich in mediaeval material, but also includes Egyptian, Greek and Roman objects and Irish archaeological material.
The Old Limerick Journal: local historical journal for Limerick City.
North Munster Archaeological Journal: details and tables of contents.

Longford

Teathba: journal of the Longford historical Society, called after the ancient kingdom of Teffia.

Louth

The County Museum for Louth, in Dundalk. Another website for this museum.
Short illustrated guide to the archaeology of Carlingford, County Louth and its environs. Sites illustrated include Proleek Dolmen and the well-preserved mediaeval buildings of Carlingford town. There are also details of the Holy Trinity Heritage Centre, and guided tours.
Darver Castle: A mediaeval castle in County Louth converted into a luxury hotel. There is a page on the history of the castle, but it is somewhat confused. It begins: 'In the early 12th century Patrick Babe was given 500 acres of land in the parish of Darver by King James II'.
County Louth Historical Tours. Hugh Smith, a qualified tour guide, leads walking tours of Dundalk and tours by coach, minibus or car of the surrounding area, including monuments such as Faughart, Monasterboice and Carlingford.
County Louth Archaeological Journal: details and table of contents.
Journal of the Old Drogheda Society. details and table of contents.

Mayo

Ceide Fields. A spectacular Neolithic field system in County Mayo, consisting of stone-walled fields buried by later bog growth and now exposed and conserved. Report on the site from UCD News, the in-house magazine of University College Dublin.
History and archaeology of County Mayo, illustrated with photographs. Includes a detailed history of Mayo Abbey.
Doon Archaeological Nature Peninsula: An inland promontory fort on Lough Carra, County Mayo, with a number of archaeological sites of various periods, and a nature trail.
Achill Archaeological Field School, Achill Island An annual summer school, working at the Deserted Village of Slievemore, held every year in July-August on Achill Island, off the coast of County Mayo.
Cathair na Mart: journal of the Westport Historical Society.

Meath

Newgrange and Tombs of MeathResource site for the Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and Tara, in the County of Meath on the east coast of Ireland. There are also sections on accommodation, tours and books.
A short description of Newgrange Probably the most famous archaeological monument in Ireland: the great passage tomb in County Meath, with its `roof-box' through which the sun shines to illuminate the inner burial chamber on the winter solstice. Also similar information on the passage tombs of Knowth, Dowth, Carrowkeel and Loughcrew.
Short illustrated article on Newgrange. Part of a web-site called Megalithia.
Welcome to Newgrange: alleges, among other things, that the Prophet Jeremiah is buried in Cairn T, Loughcrew! See British Israelites on main links page.
The Loughcrew Pictures and information about the megalithic cemetery of Sliabh na Caillí at Loughcrew, County Meath. The author finds that it has more atmosphere than Newgrange: it certainly lacks the crowds and the buses. Unfortunately the author's idea of prehistory is based more on ancient legends than scientific discoveries. There are also pages on Newgrange and Tara. It is part of the site of The Bard's Guild of Clan Keltoi, an American Celtophile group.
'Lunar maps' at Knowth. Interesting theory that a motif found in the passage tomb at Knowth, and also at Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, is a map of the moon as seen with the naked eye. Perhaps 'drawing' might be a better word, as it's unlikely that Neolithic man thought of the moon as a landmass which could be mapped. I found it unconvincing, but it's a lot more plausible than some interpretations of Neolithic art.
Light Years Ago - A new book examining the possible role of the megalithic tombs at Newgrange and Cairn T, Loughcrew, as solar calendars.
Riocht na Midhe: journal of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society. Details and tables of contents.
The Sacred Island Home page of Martin Byrne, an artist and researcher currently living on a Donkey Sanctuary in Co. Sligo where he works as a tour guide. This site is devoted to megalithic tombs, especially those of Counties Sligo and Meath: Carrowkeel, Carrowmore, Loughcrew, the Boyne Valley. The site is well illustrated with photographs and drawings, and clickable maps help with navigation. The author, Martin Byrne, produces woodcuts, t-shirts and felt wall-hangings with Stone Age and other designs, and leads tours of megalithic and other sites.
A Window on the Past: History and archaeology of the Rathfeigh area

Monaghan

Clogher Historical Society. Studying the history of the Diocese of Clogher, which encompasses all of county Monaghan, most of Fermanagh, a large part of Tyrone and small portions of both Louth and Donegal.
Clogher Record: Historical journal for the Diocese of Clogher.

Offaly (King's County)

Mike Carson of the University of Hawaii has described his study of the High Crosses and gravestones at Clonmacnoise, one of the most important early Irish monastic sites. One fascinating part, if not strictly archaeological, is his comparative study of Irish immigrant headstones in California.
Offaly Historical and Archaeological Society. Information about the Society and its collections. Includes a wonderful section called Reading Resources which includes a lot of specially-written articles, and a collection of photographs in different categories, including archaeology.

Roscommon

Historical archaeology in Ireland. A programme of excavation of deserted rural villages in County Roscommon dating from the first half of the 19th century (AD), directed by Dr. Charles Orser, Jr., sponsored by Illinois State University.

Sligo

Archaeology in County Sligo: A superb archaeological guide to County Sligo, with a clickable map leading to descriptions of sites and, for the more important ones, a photograph.
The Sacred Island Home page of Martin Byrne, an artist and researcher currently living on a Donkey Sanctuary in Co. Sligo where he works as a tour guide. This site is devoted to megalithic tombs, especially those of Counties Sligo and Meath: Carrowkeel, Carrowmore, Loughcrew, the Boyne Valley. The site is well illustrated with photographs and drawings, and clickable maps help with navigation. The author, Martin Byrne, produces woodcuts, t-shirts and felt wall-hangings with Stone Age and other designs, and leads tours of megalithic and other sites.
Carrowmore: The excavation of megalithic tombs at Carrowmore, County Sligo, by Professor Göran Burenhult of Stockholm, has produced controversial radiocarbon dates which suggest that agriculture and megalithic tombs in Ireland are far older than conventionally believed.
The Book Nest: Bookshop in Sligo with mail order service. Specialising in books of Irish interest. Free postage in Ireland for all books. The site includes reviews and a Book of the Week.

Tipperary

Fethard, County Tipperary: a short history by Tadhg O'Keefe, details of the Fethard Historical Society and an article on four Sheela-na-gigs from the area, including details of one stolen in 1990.
Excavations at Cormac's Chapel, Cashel. Report by Brian Hodkinson, along with brief notes on his other excavations of recent years. No illustrations as yet.
Tipperary Historical Society. This site includes a complete set of contents lists since 1988 for the Tipperary Historical Journal
North Munster Archaeological Journal: details and tables of contents.

Waterford

Dungarvan Museum Society Website of the local museum of Dungarvan, County Waterford. In addition to details of the museum itself, publications available and genealogical resources, there are a number of well-designed and informative on-line exhibitions, including one on Dungarvan Castle and another on MacGrath's Castle and prehistoric Dungarvan. There is also a virtual tour of the town.
Waterford Castle a 5-star hotel in a unique island setting, it is a 15th-century Fitzgerald castle enlarged in the 19th century.
Decies: Journal of the Waterford Archaeological and Historical Society.
Viking WaterfordA forum for the 9th-century Woodstown site in County Waterford, to encourage full excavation of the site.

Wexford

History and archaeology of Bree, County Wexford, with photos of dolmen, standing stones, and industrial archaeology. Also natural history, the mid-18th century farmhouse, and Wilton Castle nearby.
Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, County Wexford. Guide to this park, which contains reconstructions of archaeological monuments from various periods. The online tour is a good introduction to Irish archaeology. There is also a timetable for the various events held in the park: storytelling, drama, re-enactments, and demonstrations of fulacht fiadh cooking.
Mediaeval lighthouse at Hook Head, County Wexford. Built in 1172 as a lighthouse and still in use (automated in 1996).
Journal of the Wexford Historical Society (formerly the Old Wexford Society). Details and tables of contents.

Wicklow

'Lunar maps': Interesting theory that a motif found in the passage tomb at Knowth, and also at Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow, is a map of the moon as seen with the naked eye. Perhaps 'drawing' might be a better word, as it's unlikely that Neolithic man thought of the moon as a landmass which could be mapped. I found it unconvincing, but it's a lot more plausible than some interpretations of Neolithic art.
Journal of the West Wicklow Historical Society.

Thaddeus C. Breen

Comments and suggestions, please, to tbreen@xs4all.nl

Last revised 8 December 2004

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