This investigation considers the places on the Irish landscape where open-air Gaelic royal inauguration assemblies were held in the period c. 1100-1600. Specially designated inauguration sites played an important role in the political life of Gaelic lordships in later medieval Ireland.
Gaelic ruling families often appropriated prehistoric ritual landscapes for their royal assemblies in order to attach the pedigree of a royal candidate to an illustrious past; such sites might be an alleged burial place of an eponymous ancestor or a legendary heroic figure, or an ancient landscape associated with renowned events.
This study of their physical appearance, place-names, and geographical and historical contexts ranges over all the archaeological sites identified as inauguration places – enclosures, sepulchral mounds, natural places, ringforts and churches, and associated inauguration furniture in the form of leaca and stone thrones, basin stones and sacred trees.
Irish royal assembly places and practices are viewed in relation to sites elsewhere in Britain and greater Europe, and the circumstances that brought about the ending of the Gaelic practice of inauguration are also considered.
From Kings to Warlords: The Changing Political Structure of Gaelic Ireland in the Later Middle Ages – Katharine Simms
The Norman invasion of Ireland (1169) did not result in a complete conquest, and those native Irish chieftains who retained independent control of their territories achieved a recovery of power in the later middle ages. Katharine Simms studies the experience of the resurgent chieftains, who were undergoing significant developments during this period. The most obvious signs of change were the gradual disappearance of the title rí (king), and the ubiquitous presence of mercenary soldiers. On a deeper level, the institution of kingship itself had died, as is shown by this study of the election and inauguration of Irish kings, their counsellors, officials, vassals, army, and sources of revenue, as they evolved between the twelfth and sixteenth centuries. Sources such as the Irish chronicles, bardic poetry, genealogies, brehon charters and rentals, family-tract and sagas are all used, in addition to the more familiar evidence of the Anglo-Norman administration, the Church, and Tudor state papers.
Dr Katharine Simms lectures in the Department of Medieval History, Trinity College, Dublin.
Roscommon Under 21 Football Team – All Ireland Champions 1966
Compiled by Paul Mockler, this 90 page fully illustrated colour journal was produced to commemorate the great achievements of the mighty Roscommon Under 21’s who won All Ireland glory in 1966.
All surplus proceeds from the sale of this journal will be donated to Western Alzheimer’s.
The Last Battle of Moytura (2nd Edition 2021) by the Irish illustrator and author Sean Fitzgerald, is a retelling of the adventures of the legendary god Lugh Lámfada of the Tuatha Dé Danann and of the conflict between these deities and the feral Fomorian tribe and their leader, Balor of the Evil Eye.
Every single page is beautifully illustrated with decorative knot-work threaded through images of deities and nature, which makes this graphic novel a must for lovers of both artwork and Irish mythology.
An Teachtaire le Colmán Ó’Raghallaigh, Maisithe ag Tomm Moore.
“I see great danger coming… the slave shall return.” This is the chilling prediction of Lochrú the Druid, to the High King and his courtiers. But if he does return, will the powers of darkness be able to prevent his mission? Or can he overcome the druids and the old order? The second part of the epic tale of Patrick, full of action and spine-tingling tension.
“Feicim contúirt mhór thar sáile chugainn… Fillfidh an sclábhaí.” Sin an tuar a dhéanann Lochrú, an draoi, don Ardrí agus lucht a chúirte. Ach ma fhilleann, an mbeidh fórsaí an áibhirseora in ann a mhisean a chur ó mhaith? Nó an dtig leis dul i ngleic leis na draoithe agus an seanréimeas a chloí? An dara cuid de scéal eipiciúil Phádraic, é lán d’aicsin agus teannais.
This is the gripping story of Patrick, the slave boy, his capture by Irish raiders and his dramatic escape. The first Irish graphic novel, magnificently illustrated throughout, it is suitable for all readers from 10 to adult.
An Sclábhaí won a prestigious Bisto Merit Award in May 2002.
A stunning graphic novel of An Táin, the classic tale of Cúchulainn, Queen Méabh and the cattle-raid for the Brown bull of Cooley. Written by prize-winning author Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, superbly illustrated by Barry Reynolds and produced by the Cartoon Saloon in full-colour graphic novel format, this is the fourth in a series of highly successful Irish language graphic novels published by Cló Mhaigh Eo.
A full English translation is available at www.leabhar.com
A haunting tale of love and jealousy where Gráinne and Diarmaid are relentlessly pursued by Fionn whose desire for revenge must inevitably lead to tragic consequences. A superbly illustrated and fast-paced graphic novel.
Tá an grá agus and t-éad fite fuaite lena chéile sa scéal tragóideach seo ina chuireann Gráinne an laoch óg, Diarmaid, faoi gheasa í a bhreith leis ón bhfear a bhfuil sí geallta leis. Sárinsint agus sárléaráidí ó thús go deireadh.
The tragic tale of Deirdre and the sons of Uisneach, one of the classics of Irish literature, skilfully retold in graphic novel format by Colmán Ó Raghallaigh and superbly illustrated by Barry Reynolds and Audrey O’Brien. Tragic and moving, this companion volume to the award-winning, An Táin, captures all the richness of language and relentless excitement of the original Irish tale.
Letters Relating to the Antiquities of the County of Roscommon Containing Information Collected During the Progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1837, edited with an introduction by Michael Herity MRIA.
“Dear holy cleric,’ they said, ‘these old warriors tell you no more than a third of their stories, because their memories are faulty. Have these stories written down on poets’ tablets in refined language, so that the hearing of them will provide entertainment for the lords and commons of later times.’ The angels then left them.”
‘A fascinating overview of the wolf in Ireland through the ages. Hickey redresses the demonization of this iconic animal.’ – Ciaran Mc Mahon, Team leader, Dublin zoo
Kieran Hickey is a lecturer in the Department of Geography, NUI Galway. He is the author of Deluge: Ireland’s weather disasters, 2009–2010 (Open Air, 2010).
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