Captured behind a fence; hence the vertical bars in the foreground.
This page simply reformats the Flickr public Atom feed for purposes of finding inspiration through random exploration. These images are not being copied or stored in any way by this website, nor are any links to them or any metadata about them. All images are © their owners unless otherwise specified.
This site is a busybee project and is supported by the generosity of viewers like you.
Captured behind a fence; hence the vertical bars in the foreground.
Memorial site near the spot where the Moylough Belt was found by John Towey while cutting peat turf. The belt is now on display in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moylough_Belt-Shrine
The intricately decorated 8th century Tara Brooch in the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology in Dublin.
The Iron Age triple-faced Corleck Head stone carving in the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology in Dublin.
The 11th century Shrine of St. Patrick's Bell, built to contain a much older bell used by St Patrick himself. Now in the National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology, Dublin.
The Cross of Cong was made to enshrine a relic of the True Cross, known from written sources to have been acquired in AD 1122
A large polished rock crystal on the front of the cross at the junction of the arms and shaft was intended to protect the relic, which does not survive. The rock crystal is set in a conical mount surrounded by a flange decorated with gold filigree, niello and blue and white glass bosses. The bronze plates on the surfaces of the cross are cast openwork and are decorated with ribbon-shaped intertwined animals in the Scandinavian-derived Urnes style
This three-faced stone idol was from the first or second century AD.
Known as the Corleck Head, it was found in Co. Cavan, around 1855 and may have been associated with a shrine that celebrated the ancient festival of Lughnasa, a celebration of the harvest.
Gold dress fasteners
There are almost 700 gold artefacts in the The National Museum of Ireland’s prehistoric gold collection, most of which are Bronze Age in date and 342 of these are on exhibition.
Many are impressively large.
Girls At Our Best - Go For Gold
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWel0ttyGg
Discovered in a Potato field in Ardagh, County Limerick in 1868. A lot of famous artifacts in Ireland end up being discovered in potato fields!
It dates to 8th Century and is the most famous piece of Irish ecclesiastical metalwork.
It is a surprisingly big two-handled silver cup, decorated with gold, gilt bronze, brass, lead pewter and enamel. It has been determined that there are 354 separate pieces in its complex construction.
From wikipedia: "The names of the apostles are incised in a frieze around the bowl, below a girdle bearing inset gold wirework panels of animals, birds, and geometric interlace. Techniques used include hammering, engraving, lost-wax casting, filigree applique, cloisonné and enamel."
National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, Kildare Streen, Dublin
Found in a potato field in Roscommon in the 19th century.
They date from the Late Bronze Age 2000 BC
They are hollow inside and have holes at opposite ends suggesting that they were threaded onto something - perhaps a grand ceremonial necklace.
To produce these balls, the gold must have been hammered into thin sheets that were then crafted to form the globes.
On display at National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin.
There is so much old gold in the Irish artifacts in this museum. You wonder where they found it all. Searching a bit on-line, I see that it is felt that even in ancient times there was a lot of gold imported, probably from Cornwall to Ireland.
Throwing Muses - Golden Thing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9x8Trr0pI4
For the 124 pictures in 2024 group: number 88. Round things
The Ardagh Chalice is one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church. It is part of a hoard of objects found in the 19th century by a young man digging for potatoes near Ardagh, Co. Limerick. It was used for dispensing Eucharistic wine during the celebration of Mass.
The names of eleven apostles and St. Paul are inscribed below the band of gold filigree and studs encircling the bowl. The letters are seen against a stippled background. Incised animal decoration can also be seen below two handle escutcheons, which are decorated with elaborate glass studs and filigree panels.
The Ardagh Chalice represents a high point in early medieval craftsmanship and can be compared in this regard to the Tara Brooch and the Derrynaflan Paten.
Both dug up in Dublin but both are imported.
The one on the right is thought to be from Redcliffe, Bristol and date from late 13th Century
The one on the left is thought to be Flemish c1250 to 1350
National Museum of Ireland Dublin, Archaeology Museum
For the 124 pictures in 2024 group: number 59. Jugs
Carved stone head with 3 faces
Found in County Cavan thought to be from 1st or 2nd century and to represent a pagan god.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corleck_Head
Blondie - Faces
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY-0Y7di-oA
A fun mirror installation in the National Gallery, Dublin. Im not sure if you were meant to use it to take a selfie but I couldnt resist it!
I'll Be Your Mirror - Lou Reed
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYFz1am9OO4
National Gallery, Dublin. Im not sure if you were meant to use it to take a selfie but I couldnt resist it!
The Velvet Underground & Nico - I'll Be Your Mirror
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGZWb1SIiR4
found in County Meath in 1850 so not actually from Tara at all.
Considered to be dated from the late-7th or early-8th century and probably buried in the 12th Century to protect it from Viking or Norman raiders. The brooch is made from silver, gold, glass, enamel, amber and copper with a large number of intricate individual elements.
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology Museum, Dublin
the Broighter Hoard, is a group of gold objects dating from the 1st century BC, They were found in 1896 near Limavady.
This boat is the most spectacular of the objects.
From Wikipedia: "The boat measures 7.25 inches (18.4 cm) by 3 inches (7.6 cm) and weighs 3 ounces (85 g). It had benches, rowlocks, two rows of nine oars and a paddle rudder for steering. It also included tools for grappling, three forks, a yardarm, and a spear. The tools are of much lighter design than the ship's hull. The boat suggests that the hoard was a votive deposit to the Celtic sea god Manannán mac Lir."
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology Museum, Dublin
Throwing Muses - Golden Thing
www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9x8Trr0pI4
dates to 1123
Made from plates of cast bronze - with Oak inside. Originally held a splinter of wood that the people at the time believed was from the cross that Jesus was crucified on.
National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology Museum, Dublin
It was really a deer rather than an Elk
Megaloceros giganteus was one of the largest deer that ever lived and it was once widespread throughout Eurasia as far East as Siberia.
Some carbon dating has determined that there were still living individuals less than 8000 years ago (in Western Russia)
The antlers can span 3.5 metres.
This skeleton takes centre-stage in the Natural History Museum in Dublin.
Pixies - Gigantic
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJncHEZ3URs