Historic Era Early Christian Settlement 500–800 CE


The first early Christian settlers lived in isolated and scenic areas such as Glendalough in Co. Wicklow. These isolated locations allowed for peaceful prayer and undistracted devotion, while also providing defence. Many monasteries became the sites of the first towns in Ireland, e.g. Kells in Co. Meath or Skellig Michael in Co. Kerry. Churches were often built close to an important site such as a well. The houses of the early Christians were constructed from wattle and daub and surrounded by a circular fence. As with Celtic settlement, there is an abundance of evidence of Early Christian settlement throughout Ireland.


Viking Settlement: 800–1169 CE


The Vikings arrived in Ireland from Scandinavia in the late eighth century. They raided monastic sites along coastal areas before moving inland by river. Until the Vikings arrived, no towns really existed in Ireland. As Vikings had trading links throughout Europe, they built towns at sheltered mouths of rivers – mainly along the east and south-east of the country. The ports were also located in areas which were easy to defend against the native Irish.


Very little evidence of Viking settlements has survived, as Viking settlements were wooden structures. However, the radial layout of the original street patterns has survived in town centres, e.g. Dublin (Dubh linn: Blackpool). As well as building settlements for trade and defence, Vikings also chose to build on sites which were a dry point.


Viking settlements can be identified mainly by place-names ending in ford or low, e.g. Arklow, Wexford, Waterford. Viking towns also have a radial street pattern.


GEO DICTIONARY


Dry point: land above tide level or the flood level of rivers


Skellig ) Fig. 4.8 Viking settlements in Ireland SETTLEMENT 99


Vikings raids on monastic settlements


Vikings settlements Inishmurray Inishbofin Kells


Lambay Island


Kildare Limerick


Glendalough Wexford


Cork Waterford Dublin Wicklow


; Fig. 4.7 Beehive huts on Skellig Michael (Sceilig Mhichíl) are evidence of Early Christian settlement.


OS map evidence: • Holy wells


Note!


• Cross-inscribed stones


• Round towers • High crosses • Monasteries • Churches • Graveyards


Note! OS map evidence:


• Place-names ending in ford or low


A


Z


Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 4


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