archaeological ireland

Lough Gur was the site of a Neolithic settlement which was inhabited in 3000 BC and the Lough is surrounded by ancient standing stones, burial mounds, megalithic tombs, and perhaps most impressively, a 4000 year old stone circle just outside the park. A mock Stone Age hut holds an interpretative centre with audiovisuals and models to help visitors understand what archaeologists have learnt from the settlement. From the more recent history of the lough survives 13th and 15th Century castles....

Archives are viewed by appointment only. Contact  the number above for more information....

The monastery was founded by St Moling who died in 696. Active in politics, he succeeded in convincing the Leinstermen to let the Munstermen off the Borama, a triditional tribute of cattle which they were forced to pay. St.. Moiling is said to have been Bishop of Ferns and also of Glendalough. The kings of south Leinster, including the McMurrough Kavanaghs, were buried here. St. Mullin's Abbey is a medieval nave-and-chancel church with spiral staircase. Near it are the stump of a Round Tower,...

On display is an innovative permanent exhibition detailing the immense wealth of archaeological and historical interest to be found in Cong and it's environs, dating back to pre-historic times. The exhibition was compiled by leading archaeologist Michael Gibbons who has published a new historical guide and map covering the archaeology and history of Cong from 7,000BC up to the 19th century. Mr. Gibbons has previously lectured to the National Geography Society and the Smithsonian Institute in W...

The Great Heath of Maryborough is one of the most important archaeological sites in the country. The place is of the battle of Cainthinc in the third-Century, the stone called Leac Reta where the seven cantreds of ancient Leix met, iron-age ring barrows, bronze-age cultivated ridges, Rath Shane, an annual ancient assembly called an oenach, nineteenth-century horse racing and manoeuvres of the Queen's County Militia. Today it includes a GAA complex and a golf club....

The museum is situated in an old school-house which can be dated back to 1875.  Local archaeology, natural history and history as well as periodic temporary exhibitions can be seen here....

An Iron Age promontory fort, one of the most sophisticated monuments of its class, remarkable for the ingenious nature of its defences. It stands on a V-shaped headland in the south-west of the Dingle peninsula and while not difficult of access is unsignposted because of its hazardous condition, to which warning notices on the site draw attention. The position of Dunbeg is very exposed and parts of the cliff have been severely eroded, carrying sections of the masonry into the sea. The landwar...

This house at Lehery, Lanesboro, County Longford was the home of Rev. Joseph Mullooly. Fr. Mullooly's claim to fame is as the archaeologist who discovered the ancient temple of Mithras in Rome beneath more recent buildings which dated from the twelfth century. This is one of the most interesting and popular monuments of Christian history, and one of Rome's greatest attractions. Fr. Mullooly died in 1880 and is buried in the cemetery of San Lorenzo....

This bridge is located on the Kells-Moynalty Road and spans the River Blackwater. The sturcture dates from pre-Norman times (1169 AD), a fact confirmed by the design of two of the arches. The name of the bridge derives from the family name Mape or de Malpas, who owned the land around here before the English Civil War (1642-49)....

The 'Royal County' of Meath boasts a dramatic history and proud heritage that no other country can match. Man has settled here for over 8,000 years and everywhere one turns one can see surviving monuments and relics scattered profusely beside the rolling rivers and on the lush plains. Formerly one of the five historic provinces of Ireland, it was from here that the ancient roads of Ireland radiated, spreading Royal Meath's influence and affluence to all the corners of Ireland....