| MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS OF IRELAND .COM |
| Our earliest evidence of human habitation in Ireland dates back to 7,000 BC, the hunter-gather period, which historians refer to as the Mesolithic Age. Around 4,000 BC, this wandering lifestyle of Homo sapiens came to an end when farming was introduced into the culture by way of what would be later known as Britain and Western Europe. It is during this period,from 4,000-2,300 BC the Neolithic Age, that the majority of the Megalithic tombs that we still see today were built (although some tombs continued to be built well into the Bronze Age beginning around 2,300 BC). Soon after, the construction of large monuments began to decline, but they continued to erect standing stones well into the end of the Iron Age in 500 AD. Excavations of these monuments have shown human remains were deposited after cremation. In addition, pottery and stone tools were laid with burials. Researchers and archaeologists have also discovered that ritual practices took place at various times of the year, with many of the monuments carefully positioned by their builders to take into consideration the surrounding landscape as well as the sunrise, sunset, lunar position and the location of rivers and springs deemed sacred by the people of that time. Today, many of these outstanding monuments are still with us, and it is a legacy we can be very proud of and a history and heritage we must continue to treasure and preserve. |
| COPYRIGHT All photographs on this site are subject to copyright unless stated and can only be used with the expressed permission of their owners or their agents. Thank you for your understanding. IMAGES © MEGALITHIC MONUMENTS OF IRELAND.COM |
WHEN VISITING ANY OF THESE MONUMENTS, PLEASE ASK PERMISSION FROM THE LANDOWNERS,IF REQUIRED. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER OR DISTURB THE MONUMENTS. THANK YOU. |
| INTRODUCTION |
| VISITING SITES |
| ABOUT US |
| Welcome to the website of Megalithic Monuments of Ireland. This website is the result of our love and passion for Archaeology as well as our devotion to the wonderment of the many Megalithic monuments throughout Ireland. We have travelled the country to bring you some fantastic photos of these extraordinary monuments, which have stood proudly today as a durable testament to their ingenious builders. The construction and use of these monuments have long puzzled us,and even though today we know much about their history and construction, there are aspects that remain a mystery. But our lack of a complete understanding of these edifices does not take away from their beauty and majesty and, as such, we are encouraged to think of these great monuments as stone pages in the book of ancient history and human rituals and beliefs of our ancestors on this island. |
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| ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS |
| Exciting news from Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency in conjunction with the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork at Queen's, are about to start excavating a Portal Tomb at Tirnony,near Maghera County Londonderry. A blog has been set up to view progress and ask the archaeologists questions about the dig and any finds. LINK |
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| KNOCKANOURA STONE ROW COUNTY CLARE |
| FEBRUARY MONUMENT OF THE MONTH |
| Our latest book, 'The Ogham Stones of Ireland, The Complete & Illustrated Index' is now available from * our e - Store * |
| Visit our NEW E - Shop which has a wide & unique range of wear for Men - Women & Kids. Click on the link below or on the Ad above to go directly to the E - Shop. |
| A wide range of books available covering most counties from our e - store. A wide & unique range of clothing available from our e - shop. Specially commissioned photographs of selected monuments. Field tours of famous monuments. Extensive selection of photographs of monuments. |
| Visit our new, exciting section in Archives featuring Old Images from the 1770's, 1880's & 1990's. click here |
