"About a mile to the east of the village of Dunshaughlin, on the
townland of _Lagore_, and near the margin of a 'cutaway' black bog,
is a circular mound, slightly raised above the surrounding plain, its
highest central part being about eight feet above the margin, and the
circumference of the mound measuring 520 feet. A small stream passes
through the circle; and the whole bog in which it is situated occupies
a slight concavity of about a mile and a half in circumference,
bounded by raised tillage and pasture lands. Within the memory of some
of the old inhabitants of the neighbourhood, this bog was covered with
water during the greater part of the year, and it is so invariably
during winter up to the present period. A large pond is still in
existence in one of the fields adjoining the mound. A few years ago
some labourers, while clearing the stream-way, discovered several
bones protruding from its sides; and in May, 1839, the quantity of
bones found in the drain was so great, and their value so well known,
that a further examination was made, when it was discovered that the
greater part of the mound was composed of the remains of animals,
placed there in the following manner:--
"The circumference of the circle was formed by upright posts of black
oak, measuring from 6 to 8 feet in height; these were mortised into
beams of a similar material, laid flat upon the marl and sand beneath
the bog, and nearly 16 feet below the present surface. The upright
posts were held together by connecting cross-beams, and fastened by
large iron nails; parts of a second upper tier of posts were likewise
found, resting on the lower ones. The space thus enclosed was divided
into separate compartments, by septa or divisions that intersected one
another in different directions; these were also formed of oaken beams
in a state of great preservation, but joined together with greater
accuracy than the former, and in some cases having their sides grooved
or rabbited to admit large panels driven down between them. The
interiors of the chambers so formed were filled with bones and black
moory earth, and the heap of bones was raised up in some places within
a foot of the surface. It was generally found that the remains of each
species of animal were placed in separate divisions, with but little
intermixture with any other; and the antiquities, etc., were found
along with them, without any order or regularity, but for the most
part near the bottom." (B. 4, p. 420.)
From the abstract of Wilde's paper I find that among the osseous
remains the following animals were represented:--several varieties
of oxen, the pig (a smaller variety than is now bred in Ireland),
the horse, the ass, the common and fallow deer, the goat, _one skull
of the four-horned sheep_, a large species of the greyhound tribe,
probably the Irish wolf-dog, and the fox. A few bones of birds,
the shells of limpets and buccinums, and a large quantity of the
broken shells of hazel-nuts were also noted. Nearly in the centre
of the heap, and within 2 feet of the surface, were found two human
skeletons lying at length, and without any surrounding wood or stone
coffin. Owing to the prejudices of the peasants these bones had to be
re-interred. The report then goes on to say:--
"The antiquities found in this place may be divided into the warlike,
the culinary, and the ornamental. They consisted of _iron_ swords
of different lengths, with straight edges and angular points, and
bearing a resemblance to the ancient Roman swords. Very many knives
were found, of different shapes and sizes, with iron spear, javelin,
and dagger blades, and part of the boss or central ornament of a
shield; but _no brazen weapons_ of any description. Two querns, or
ancient corn-mills, were found on the marl, at the bottom of the
enclosure; sharpening-stones, iron chains, an iron axe, a brazen pot,
and three small brass bowls of most elegant shape and workmanship;
several articles precisely resembling miniature frying-pans, of about
three inches in diameter (perhaps incense-burners); circular discs of
turned bone, wood, and slate, like those supposed to have been used at
the end of the distaff; small shears, like the modern sheep-shears;
brazen, bone, and iron pins, from 4 to 6 inches in length, the former
of great beauty of construction; brooches, and parts of buckles,
containing pieces of enamel and mosaic work; bracelets; wooden
(yew-tree) combs, toothpicks, etwees, and other articles belonging to
the toilet. Several of these articles show an extraordinary state of
perfection of the arts at the period of their construction.
[Illustration: =Fig. 102.=--LAGORE. Carved Bone, showing some of the
designs real size.]
"A very curious bone was likewise found (=Fig. 102=), and exhibited to
the meeting, with a number of devices carved on it, as if by way of
practice in engraving; these devices consisted of scrolls and marks
precisely similar to those found on ancient Irish crosses, ornaments,
and gravestones. There were no crosses, beads, or _Christian_ sacred
ornaments found in the excavation: but a number of pieces of stags'
horns sawn across, and also pieces of hazel-wood, in great quantity,
as if laid up for firewood, were found in one spot near the bottom.
Some of the articles exhibited now belong to the collection of the
Dean of St. Patrick's: but the greater number were forwarded for the
inspection of the Academy by Mr. Barnwall, of Grennanstown, on whose
ground the discovery was made, and to whom Mr. Wilde was indebted for
the bones, and permission to make any researches he might require."
The late Lord Talbot de Malahide, writing in the _Archæological
Journal_ of June, 1849 (B. 10, p. 101), says, in regard to the Lagore
find:--
"A great portion of these valuable relics became the property of
the late Dr. Dawson, Dean of St. Patrick's; and on his decease were
purchased, with the rest of his Irish antiquities, and presented to
the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy. Surgeon Wilde also presented to
the same institution a valuable collection of the bones found in the
same locality. Mr. Barnwall, the owner of the soil, still possesses
some remnant of this treasure, after having been plundered to a
considerable extent by dishonest servants; and those specimens which
I possess, representations of some of which are given in illustration
of this paper, I owe to the liberality and kindness of the same
gentleman."
[Illustration: =Fig. 103.=--LAGORE. Iron Weapons, a peculiar Iron
Pipe, and Ring with portion of Chain attached.]
The following list comprises the various antiquities from Lagore then
in the possession of Lord Talbot, and laid before the members of the
Institute at the monthly meeting on February 2nd:--
[Illustration: =Fig. 104.=--LAGORE. Two Bronze Pins (1/1), a Bronze
Bowl, and a Ladle and an Axe-head of Iron.]
_Objects of Iron._--Two double-edged swords, one measuring 22¼
inches, inclusive of the tang which passed through the hilt; the
blade, 18½ inches long and 1⅜ inch wide, was formed with a wide
shallow groove along its entire length. The other sword-blade measures
15¼ inches and is formed with a central ridge. A blade, curved
towards the point, in some degree resembling certain Oriental weapons;
the curved portion alone has a cutting edge on both sides; length 13¼
inches, and width of curved portion 1 inch. Two spear-heads, in fine
preservation and very sharp; length 10 inches. A peculiar single-edged
weapon, resembling the glaive of simplest form, but of diminutive
size, the blade measuring only 8 inches. An iron axe-head, length 7
inches. A peculiar iron pipe. (See page 431.) An iron ladle. An iron
ring with portion of chain manacle (=Figs. 103= and =104=).
[Illustration: =Fig. 105.=--LAGORE. Ornamented Bone Comb (⅔),
portion of an object of Bronze with Interlacements, a Bronze Dagger
9¾ inches long, and 3 Beads.]
_Bronze._--A small bowl 5¼ inches diameter, height 3 inches. Three
armillæ of rude fashion. Portion of bronze ornament with enamelled
work and exquisite finish. Portion of a ring fibula, with the
extremities, between which the acus passed, dilated and flat. There
are cavities in the metal in which enamel or some other ornament
appears to have been incrusted. Portion of an object with interlaced
ornamentation (=Fig. 105=), of unknown use. Several bronze pins of
various fashion and size, from 3 to 6 inches in length. Four of these
have movable rings appended to one extremity in lieu of a head.
Another pin has a head of very singular fashion, as shown by the
representation here annexed, of the same size as the original (=Fig.
104=).
_Bone._--Two bone needles or bodkins, being perforated at the
extremities, 2½ to 3½ inches long. A double-toothed comb of bone,
rudely ornamented with lines and concentric circles, 3½ by 2¼ inches.
In April, 1887, through the courtesy and assistance of the present
Lord Talbot de Malahide, I had the satisfaction of inspecting most of
the above described objects, which are still in safe keeping among the
art treasures of Malahide Castle. Illustrations of most of them are
given on =Figs. 103= and =104=.
The objects from Lagore which went to the Museum of the Irish Academy,
together with those in the Petrie collection (now belonging to the
Academy), are in such a state of confusion, owing to the absence of
distinguishing labels, and the want of harmony between the numbers on
the objects and those in the official catalogue, that, notwithstanding
several visits to the museum with the express purpose of identifying
and singling out some of the crannog remains, I have been unable to
make much addition to those already illustrated.
[Illustration: =Fig. 106.=--LAGORE. Iron Implements and Weapons. All
⅓ real size.]
By the kind permission of the council of the Royal Irish Academy I
am enabled to make use of the few woodcuts from Wilde's catalogue
illustrative of objects from Lagore. They are as follows:-- The
top of a pin ornamented with three movable rings (=Fig. 104=), an
ornamental bone comb, a bronze dagger, and three beads (=Fig. 105=).
The ribbed bead is opaque, with traces of a light green varnish, and
is almost identical with beads found in the Scottish crannogs. Another
is an inch long and has a raised ornament in white on a deep blue
ground.
The objects represented on =Fig. 106= I have identified, with the
assistance of Mr. Wakeman, as coming from the same remarkable
locality. They are all of iron and represented one-third natural size,
and will be readily recognised as tools and weapons of ordinary use.
In regard to the historic notices of Lagore Sir W. R. Wilde writes as
follows:--
"As the earliest discovered and examined crannoge in modern times has
been that of Lagore, near Dunshaughlin, County of Meath, so, upon
looking into the authorities, we find it the first alluded to. Loch
Gabhair is said to have been one of the nine lakes which burst forth
in Ireland A.M. 3581 ('Annals of the Four Masters'; see also Colgan's
'Acta Sanctorum,' p. 422, n. 14). In A.D. 848, we read that Cinaedh,
son of Conaing, Lord of Cianachta-Breagh, in Meath, went with a strong
force of foreigners, and plundered the Ui-Neill from the Sionainn (the
Shannon) to the sea; 'and he plundered the island of Loch Gabhor, and
afterwards burned it, so that it was level with the ground.' And in
the old translation of the 'Annals of Ulster,' Codex Clarendensis,
the passage is thus rendered:--"And brake down the island of Loch
Gavar to the very bottom.' Again, in A.D. 933, the same authority
informs us that--'The island of Loch-Gavar [was] pulled down by Aulaiv
O'Hivair,' and the cave of Knowth, on the Boyne, plundered during one
of the Scandinavian marauding expeditions with which the kingdom was
then troubled. Thus we have evidence that Lagore crannoge was occupied
upwards of one thousand years ago." (B. 18, p. 229.)