Prehistoric Art in Ireland

John Waddell

From the earliest Ice Age cave paintings to the metalwork and statuary in the pre-Roman Celtic world, western Europe has had over 40,000 years of prehistoric art. This is in contrast to a mere 2800 years of historic creativity. In Ireland prehistoric art embraces very different artistic endeavours over a timespan of nearly 4000 years prior to the island’s slow emergence onto the stage of history in the early centuries AD.

Sometimes the art, in different media, is simply decorative, often aesthetically pleasing, and occasionally it is a deliberate display of technical virtuosity. It frequently embodies a symbolic charge and at times represents a great mythological narrative, offering insights into ancient beliefs and practices.

The diverse art in prehistoric Ireland is of outstanding interest in three periods in particular. In the intriguing stone imagery of the Neolithic the enigmatic carvings at Knowth and Newgrange are outstanding examples. There is some remarkable emblematic gold work in the Bronze Age and in the Iron Age the exceptional Celtic art in gold, bronze and stone includes such extraordinary objects as the Broighter torc and golden model boat.

John Waddell is a former Professor of Archaeology in the University of Galway. His books include The Celtic World: a history (2026) and Archaeology and Celtic myth (2014) and Pagan Ireland: ritual and belief in another world (2023).