In the early stages of the Iron Age period, a new culture started to evolve across Europe, the Celts. When the Celtic culture reached Ireland its influence would have a lasting effect.
When did the Celts arrive in Ireland?
Pre-Celtic Ireland was the Bronze Age period lasting from 2500 BC to approx. 500 BC. During that time Ireland was producing a lot of Bronze, they made weapons and jewellery to trade with the rest of Europe. It was generally believed the Celts started arriving in Ireland at approx. 700 BC and by 500 BC their influence changed society in Ireland lasting until the current day.
An archaeology find in Co. Westmeath, known as the Lackan spearhead, proves Ironmaking was occurring in Ireland between 811 and 673 BC. Does this mean the influence of the Celts had already begun? If so, it was earlier than first thought but also suggests that it may have taken over 400 years for the influence of the Celts to finally take a hold in Ireland.
Did the Celts invade Ireland?
It's likely the Celts didn't invade Ireland like the Vikings or Normans did in the Medieval period in Ireland. In Europe, people traded with each other traveling far and wide. They would share their crafts, artwork, stories, ideas, and even philosophies. Ireland was no exception to these exchanges which had been ongoing on the island since at least the Neolithic period.
When the growth of the Celts expanded around Europe, it also expanded more into Ireland, and by 500 BC it took Ireland into the Iron Age. It would take several centuries for the movement of traders, tribes, and intermarriage for the Celts to have a foothold in Ireland.
Who were the Celts?
Tribes or groups of people across Europe that shared the arts, customary beliefs, and social structures, and spoke similar Celtic languages started influencing each other. Their beliefs and practices were beginning to be shared in various locations across Europe, including Ireland. These tribes included the Boii, the Celtiberians; the Gallaeci; the Galatians; the Lepontii; the Gaels, and the Britons. Although they were spread across large areas they were somewhat united through shared customs and similar languages, most likely exchange from trading with each other.
Described by the Greeks as "Keltoi" (barbarians) and as "the great unwashed" by Julius Caesar they were far from the hard-drinking and hard-fighting savages they were portrayed to be. The Celtic culture emerging was made up of various groups of people.
Celtic Druids in Ireland
Celtic Druids, such as Cathbad the Irish Druid, were ancient religious leaders, philosophers, and judges in Celtic societies. Known for their wisdom, they performed rituals, offered sacrifices, and communicated with the divine. Druids also preserved oral traditions, educated the elite, and mediated disputes. They held significant influence in spiritual, legal, and political matters across different tribes.
Brehon Law, the ancient legal system of Ireland, was practiced from the Iron Age until the 17th century. Named after the "brehons" (judges), it was a complex, customary law rooted in oral tradition. The laws covered various aspects of daily life, including property rights, marriage, contracts, and criminal justice.
Brehon Law emphasized restitution over punishment, promoting compensation to victims rather than incarceration. It was a sophisticated system with a strong emphasis on fairness, social responsibility, and community consensus, reflecting the values of early Irish society.
Celtic Kings
In Celtic society, kings played a vital role as both leaders and symbolic figures. Unlike the absolute monarchs of later periods, Celtic kings, or "rí," were often more ceremonial, serving as intermediaries between the gods and the people. Their legitimacy was closely tied to their ability to maintain peace, prosperity, and harmony within their tribe or kingdom.
Celtic kings were selected from among noble families, with leadership often passing through a system of tanistry, where the successor (the "tanist") was chosen during the king's lifetime to ensure stability. The king's power was balanced by the influence of the druids, warriors, and other nobles, and his authority was subject to Brehon Law.
Kings were also central to religious and seasonal festivals such as Imbolc (beginning of spring), Bealtaine (beginning of summer), Lughnasadh (beginning of autumn), and Samhain (beginning of winter). The kings would reinforce their role as mediators between the divine and the earthly. Their leadership was both a practical and spiritual responsibility, embodying the unity and identity of the tribe.
Celtic Warriors
Celtic warriors were fierce and skilled fighters, known for their bravery, strength, and distinctive battle tactics. They often fought in small, tribal units, using weapons like swords, spears, and shields. Some warriors wore minimal armor, showcasing their fearlessness, while others donned chainmail or helmets adorned with intricate designs.
These warriors were also known for their use of chariots in battle, which allowed for quick, mobile attacks. They painted their bodies with a blue dye, to intimidate enemies, and some even practiced ritualistic headhunting, believing the head to be the seat of a person's spirit and power.
Warriors held a high status in Celtic society, often engaging in raids, skirmishes, and large-scale battles. Their reputation for ferocity and individual valor made them formidable opponents in warfare across Europe, particularly during conflicts with the Romans. Honor, loyalty to the tribe, and prowess in battle were central to the identity of a Celtic warrior.
Iron making in Ireland
The Celts mastered the process of smelting iron ore in small, clay furnaces called bloomeries. By heating the ore with charcoal, they produced a spongy mass of iron known as a bloom, which was then hammered to remove impurities.
Iron tools, weapons, and agricultural implements replaced those made of bronze, marking a profound change in Irish society. The increased availability and durability of iron allowed for more efficient farming, improved weaponry, and the crafting of everyday items.
Ironmaking contributed to the growth of local economies and the expansion of trade networks. It also played a role in the social and military power of Celtic tribes, as those who controlled iron resources gained significant influence. The skill and knowledge of ironworking were passed down through generations, deeply embedding ironmaking in the cultural and economic life of Celtic Ireland.
Celtic Artwork
The Celtic artwork in Ireland is renowned for its intricate designs, symbolism, and craftsmanship, reflecting the cultural and spiritual values of the Celtic people. This art is characterized by its use of spirals, knotwork, triskeles, and interlaced patterns, often found on stone carvings, metalwork, and illuminated manuscripts.
During the Iron Age, Celtic artisans created elaborate decorations on weapons, jewelry, and ceremonial objects, using materials like gold, bronze, and silver. The La Tène style, which featured flowing, curvilinear patterns, became prominent in Irish metalwork, influencing designs on items such as torcs, brooches, and chalices.
The arrival of Christianity in Ireland led to a fusion of Celtic and Christian motifs, visible in the creation of high crosses, illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells, and other ecclesiastical art. These works combined traditional Celtic patterns with Christian iconography, creating a unique artistic expression that remains a hallmark of Irish heritage.
Celtic mythology
Central to Celtic mythology are the gods and goddesses, who embody natural forces, aspects of life, and human traits. Notable figures include Dagda, a father-figure and god of abundance; Brigid, a goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft; and Lugh, a warrior god associated with skill and crafts. The Morrigan, a shape-shifting goddess of fate and battle, is also a prominent and mysterious figure.
The Celtic Otherworld, known as Tír na nÓg in Irish mythology, is a realm of eternal youth, beauty, and abundance, often associated with the land of the dead or the fairy realm. Many myths involve journeys to this mystical place or encounters with its inhabitants.
Celtic myths often feature heroic cycles, such as the Ulster Cycle and the Mythological Cycle. The Ulster Cycle includes tales of the hero Cú Chulainn and the epic conflict in the Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley). The Mythological Cycle deals with the origins and history of the gods and mythical races like the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of god-like beings who played a crucial role in Irish myth.
Nature, animals, and the changing seasons are deeply intertwined with Celtic mythology like the Myth of Cailleach, the goddess of winter. Many stories emphasize the sacredness of the natural world, with certain animals like the stag, boar, and raven carrying symbolic meaning.
