Ireland in the centuries following the arrival of Christianity is often referred to as the 'Island of Saints and Scholars'
While this may well be true to a degree, the recent excavations of a circular ditched enclosure in Croagh, Co. Limerick, along the route of the Foynes to Limerick (including Adare Bypass) Road Project, are revealing evidence for a society where the pen was not always mightier than the sword, and where life was fraught with the risk of an early death, be that from disease, misadventure or violence.
Excavation Director Seán Tiffin from Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS), who led the excavations at Croagh, was fascinated by what one local told him about the field in which he was digging, and said:
"Even before we had fully exposed the site here, we were told that the field was known as ''the field of blood'', and so we were on high alert even before the first human bones were encountered”. Subsequently, dozens of burials, laid out in a Christian style, were encountered, one of which was adorned with a beautiful example of early medieval metalwork in the form of a small, but carefully crafted buckle (Photos 1 and 2).
Initial examination of the skeletal remains by Project Osteoarchaeologist Dr Mara Tesorieri revealed multiple traces of wounds on some of the individuals, suggesting that quite a number of those laid to rest here had met violent ends, including by decapitation. This was a society where warring was par for the course, fighting over land, or in many cases over cattle which were the main indicator of wealth. There was also poignant evidence of non-violent but no less tragic loss with, for example, one burial where a woman and child were laid together, posed in a way suggesting a caring relationship between them (heads inclined towards each other), and indeed with those who had carefully placed them in this tender pose (Photo 3). Radiocarbon dating indicates that the burials largely date to the 6th–7th centuries. Analysis of the skeletal remains is ongoing and is sure to reveal many more fascinating insights about the people who made their homes in Croagh in early medieval times.
Fintan Walsh, Excavation Manager for AMS, commented:
“This was only one of the 150 sites found on the project, all of which were fascinating in their own right. These sites included prehistoric settlements, cooking sites and burials; medieval forts and burial grounds; as well as lime and brick making kilns of our more recent past, and World War II (‘Emergency’) era concrete pillboxes. Built heritage surveys recorded vernacular houses, a quay keeper’s cottage, railway structures and historic farm buildings too.”
Maeve Sikora, Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the National Museum of Ireland, said:
“The archaeological evidence uncovered during excavations in advance of the Foynes-Limerick Project includes a spectacular array of finds from the prehistoric and medieval periods, attesting to the importance of this area through time (Photos 4 and 5). Many of the finds are hugely significant, not just because they are rare, but because they were found in dateable contexts and can be used as reference points by researchers for many years to come. The exemplary finds retrieval strategies employed on these excavations have ensured that as much information as possible has been gleaned, enabling a deeper understanding of our past, preserved for all to access and enjoy”.
Community engagement and outreach have been an important aspect of the archaeological works. Throughout the project, local schools and historical societies were invited to visit the sites to get a sense of how an archaeological dig takes place, and to get up close with the finds. The WW II pillboxes have been the subject of numerous talks around the country, and a site tour given as part of Heritage Week 2025.
Fieldwork on the project is now coming to a close, with all excavations completed in advance of construction, including those on the Adare Bypass section which were prioritised to facilitate the speedy development of the bypass in time for the Ryder Cup in 2027. The team at AMS are now writing up their reports, all of which will be made available online through TII’s Digital Heritage Collections which forms part of the Digital Repository of Ireland. In the meantime, to showcase their discoveries, AMS has launched an online StoryMap where you can explore all of the discoveries for yourself, complete with interactive maps, 3D models and details of the amazing artefacts. The StoryMap can be accessed through the TII website at www.tii.ie/en/technical-services/archaeology/storymaps/.
