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A RICH HISTORY The Celtic and Early Christian Age The Celts emerged from Central Europe as a culturally distinct people about 1,000 BC. Aided by iron weapons, and bringing their unique form of Celtic art, they expanded over much of Europe, reaching Ireland at around 500BC. The Irish did not write, but their traditions were handed down orally. The earliest form of writing dates from around the third century BC. It was called Ogham (pronounced like poem). It consisted of notches carved on standing stones, and therefore was used only for special purposes, such as commemorating important people. The inscription usually gives some information about their history. The example at the Irish National Heritage Park in Wexford, reads "Ivageni Avvi Maqqi Treni" meaning "Of Eoghan, grandson of Mac Triuin" This name comes from the Irish for New Ross, Ross Mhic Triuin, a town in Co. Wexford. |
This picture shows
the rath, or ring-fort (at the top) and the early Christian monastery
(on
the right). Raths were typical dwelling places of the nobles and "strong
farmers" from around 500 to 1000 AD. They consisted of a circular area
enclosed by a timber wall with a ditch on the outside. In the west these
banks were made of stone, and called cashels. Within the enclosure were
dwelling houses with walls of stone and clay and roofs of straw or reed
thatch. Many raths contained underground passages known as souterrains.
These were stone-lined, and could be used for storage of food, concealing
valuables, and for hiding during attack.
Cattle
raising was a major activity, and a man's status in the community would
be determined by the number of cattle he owned. This made cattle-raiding
very common. Cereals were grown for making bread and beer. Peas, beans,
onions and celery were also grown. The cereals would be ground in a quern
(left). The unground corn was put in at the top, it was rotated by hand,
and flour came out the bottom.
Christianity Arrives.
