Review: Unravelling Ireland's myths

2 July 1994

In Pagan Celtic Ireland (Thames and Hudson, pp 240, £24), Barry
Raftery not only examines the archaeological evidence for a time of change
as the Bronze Age gave way to the Iron Age around 400 BC, but adds much
to our knowledge of the contacts between the Roman empire and the unconquered
island. The largest roadway in prehistoric Europe, dazzling hill forts
and grave goods together provide evidence for the rise in power of an aristocratic
elite. Their exploits have come down to us in the bloodthirsty tales of
Ireland’s ancient heroes and villains from Cu Chulainn to Queen Medbh. Rafferty
points out the pitfalls of the reliance on historical and philological evidence
that has dogged archaeology in Ireland. It has led to archaeological evidence
being dragged in out of context to support a contention that invaders introduced
a rich Iron Age culture in the style of La Tene, for example. Yet the archaeology
taken as a whole does not support this notion, indicating instead a more
piecemeal and gradual transition from Bronze to Iron Age.