In the first major work on the subject for over 30 years, Nancy Edwards provides a critical survey of the archaeological evidence in Ireland (c. 400-1200), introducing material from many recently discovered sites as well as reassessing the importance of earlier excavations. Beginning with an assessment of Roman influence, Dr Edwards then discusses the themse of settlement, food and farming, craft and technology, the church and art, concluding with an appraisal of the Viking impact. The archaeological evidence for the period is also particularly rich and wide-ranging and our knowledge is expanding repidly in the light of modern techniques of survey and excavation.

`This eagerly awaited book is an outstanding and right up-to-date summary of every excavation and investigation undertaken in Ireland into the earthworks, castles, ecclesiastical buildings and towns of the period from the arrival of the Anglo-Normans to the mid-sixteenth century...a most welcome synthesis and will be valued by the layperson, student and professional archaeologist, historical geographer and historian alike.' Archaeology Ireland

Tahdg O'Keeffe's lively and wide-ranging study addresses the need for a fresh archaeological study of medieval Ireland. Individual chapters re-examine such familiar themes as urban and rural settlement, military, domestic and ecclesiastical architecture, agriculture and craft, and trade and industry. Other topics discussed include diet, dress, burial rites, and entertainment. The cultural relations between the Gaelic Irish and English populations of medieval Ireland are explored throughout the book, as are Ireland's relations with her European neighbors. With its elegantly written text and numerous illustrations, this portrait of medieval Ireland will appeal to general readers as well as to students and professionals in the fields of archaeology, history, and historical geography.

An indispensable guide to the major monuments of the period - earthen and stone castles, moated sites, villages, towns, cathedrals, churches, tower houses, pottery kilns and mills.

This book investigates and reconstructs evidence from archaeological excavations conducted between 1930 and 2012 and uses the findings to explore how the medieval Irish lived in the period AD 400-100.

Archaeological evidence here is used to help build up a picture of the lives led by the people of which it is a record. The contents include a description of primitive settlements, leading up to an account of the art, trade and civilization generally of early ages prior to the Celtic invasion and up to the end of Medieval times. Two chapters take narratives from the time and analyse them against physical evidence and consider what they tell us alongside that information. Many often overlooked facts are brought to the fore and special attention is paid to the overwhelming influence of climate in shaping human destiny. Originally published in 1935, this book is as enlightening today.

A wide range of archaeological and historical source-material forms the basis of this well-presentes study, which considers topics such as the role of castles as country house and manorial centres, the nature of English peasant settlement on Anglo-Norman manors, and the nature of Gaelic settlement in other areas. It also sets out directions for future research.