Ancient Irish Artefacts
Inktober Series | 2025
To celebrate the month of Oíche Shamhna (Halloween) I created three paintings a week inspired by some of my favourite ancient Irish artefacts.
Sheela Na Gig
Seir Kieran Church
A symbol some would regard as evil or sinful has become a powerful feminist symbol - one of unpologetic female empowerment and sexuality. This Sheela is distinctly unique. She has several holes in the sculpture and it is thought they played a part in fertility rites, perhaps branches or fingers were inserted in them.
Tynan Crucifixion Plaque
Tynan, Co. Armagh
A small early medieval sculpture that was found in 1844 near Tynan, County Armagh. It is dated to c. 1100 and made from bronze. It shows the crucifixion of jesus, with two attendant angels resting above his arms. Below are representations of the Roman soldiers ‘Stephanton’ and ‘Longinus’ driving spears into Christ’s chest.
Honorina Grace Effigial Tomb
St. Chanice’s Cathedral
Located in St. Chanice’s Cathedral, Co. Kilkenny is the tomb of Honorina Grace, AKA Onorina, c. 1512 - 1596 carved from Kilkenny black marble by the renowned 16th century sculptor Rory O’Tunny. Honorina was the daughter of Honorina Noreen Walsh and John Grace - who was appointed escheator of County Kilkenny by Henry VIII in 1516.
Gallen Priory Cross
Gallen Priory Monastery
This Celtic cross slab features a distinctive ringed design with animal and human figures in relief that likely symbolise the struggle between good and evil, or temptation. Discovered at the Gallen Priory monastic site in County Offaly, Ireland, it is a significant piece of early Christian art, reflecting a blend of Pagan and Christian influences.
Corraghy Heads
Drumeague, Co. Cavan
Speculative drawing
Thomas J. Barron
The Corraghy Heads is the name given to two 1st century AD stone carvings uncovered in 1855 in Drumeague, Co. Cavan, Ireland. The sculpture was originally a two-headed janus sculpture of a human and rams head linked by a long cross-piece, but was broken apart in the mid-19th century. Only the human head survives today.
Book of Kells
‘Christ Enthroned’
Illustrated here is snippets from ‘Christ Enthroned’ inside the Book of Kells; one of the most famous medieval manuscripts in the world. This masterpiece and cultural treasure of Ireland is a 9th-century illuminated manuscript containing the four gospels of the New Testament, written in Latin on vellum.
St. Patricks Bell Shrine
Crafted by Cú Dúilig
The bell, a powerful relic, is frequently mentioned in written sources as one of Irelands principle relics and reputed to have belonged to St. Patrick. An inscription on its surface indicates that the shrine for the bell was made around 1100 AD. The inscription along the edge records the name of the craftsman; Cú Dúilig and his sons.
The Ardagh Chalice
Ardagh, Co. Limerick
One of the greatest treasures of the early Irish church. This chalice is part of a hoard of objects found in the 19th century by a young man digging for potatoes near Ardagh, Co. Limerick. It was used for dispensing Eucharistic wine during Mass. The form of the chalice recalls late Roman tableware, but the method of construction is distinctly Irish.
Corleck Head Stone Idol
County Cavan
The Corleck head is believed to be an ancient pagan idol, perhaps some ancestor or diety from pre-Christian Ireland. It was found in the mid 19th century in Co. Cavan, nearby a building which was known as the “Corelck ghost house.” Most likely it was unearther in a nearby passage tomb known as the “giants grace” dating back to 2500 BC.
Knowth Flint Macehead
Knowth, Co. Meath
This ceremonial macehead, found beneath the eastern chamber tomb at the great passage tomb in Knowth, is one of the finest works of art to have survived from Neolithic Europe. Archeologist Joseph Fenwick has suggested that the technology needed for such precise carving (rotary drill) predates the classical world by 2000 years.
Gráinne O’Máille Tomb
‘Clare Island, Co. Mayo
The tomb of the legendary Irish pirate queen Gráinne O’Máille located in the ruins of Clare Island Abbey on Clare Island, Co. Mayo. Gráinne was a formisable pirate, chieftan, and sea captain who has become a symbol of Irish resistance. Her life is celebrated in folklore and is a testiment to female ability and endurance.
The Gleninsheen Gorget
Irelands gold
Irelands love affair with gold dates back to over 4000 years to the Bronze Age (circa 2500 - 500 BC.) During this time, skilled artisans crafted intricate gold ornaments - Lunulae, Torcs, and Discs - using gold sourced from Irish rivers and mountains. Illustrated here is the Gleninsheen Gorget, found in 1930 in the Burren, Co. Clare.