Daniel Kirkpatrick

Historical Sites in Ireland: Explore the Ancient Landscape of Ireland

Ireland’s landscape is rich with ancient monuments—ringforts, passage tombs, royal sites, and crumbling stone settlements that echo the lives of those who walked here thousands of years ago. This page gathers together some of the most important historical sites in Ireland which are featured on my blog. Each of these posts combine archaeological evidence with mythology, exploring the history and significance of these amazing locations.

Below is a summary of the most significant sites. While many span multiple historical periods, they are ordered below in terms of the period of most significant activity and historical interest. Select the links to read on.

Neolithic (or earlier) 4500-2000BC

Map of ancient historical sites across Ireland
Map of ancient historical sites across Ireland – click to see the full resolution image.
  1. Giant’s Ring
  2. Mount Sandel
  3. Newgrange
  4. Giant’s Causeway

Bronze Age 2000-500BC

  1. Corrstown Village, Portrush
  2. Dunseverick Castle

Iron Age 500BC-400AD

  1. Emain Macha (Fort Navan)
  2. Hill of Uisneach
  3. Hill of Tara
  4. Rathcroghan
  5. Dun Aonghasa
  6. Rock of Cashel
  7. Dún Ailinne – Knockaulin

Early Medieval (or later) 400AD-

  1. Dunluce Castle
  2. Nendrum Monastery
  3. Ballyaghagan Cashel

Historical Site Posts

  • Corrstown Bronze Age Village: Ireland’s Largest Settlement

    Corrstown, just outside Portrush, stunned archaeologists in 2002 with 74 roundhouses linked by cobbled lanes—one of the largest Middle-Bronze Age villages uncovered in Britain or Ireland. Radiocarbon dates of c. 1700-1200 BC, 16,500 flint pieces and 9,000 pottery sherds now illuminate daily life on the Atlantic fringe.

  • What was Dun Aengus? Ireland’s Ancient West Maritime Hub

    Dun Aengus (Dún Aonghasa) crowns a 100 m Atlantic cliff on Inis Mór, its triple drystone walls and jagged chevaux-de-frise guarding the island since the Late Bronze Age. Excavations by Claire Cotter revealed metal-working debris and ritual deposits, while modern paths now guide visitors through Ireland’s most spectacular prehistoric fort.

  • How old is the Rock of Cashel?

    Perched above Tipperary’s Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig) rose from a royal hill-fort to a 12th-century ecclesiastical powerhouse. But its ancient roots claim to go back much further into Iron Age Ireland. Here we explore the evidence.

  • What is the history of Dunseverick Castle?

    Perched above the North Atlantic, Dunseverick Castle weaves together centuries of myth, kingship, and quiet endurance. From Iron Age roots to Saint Patrick’s visit, its crumbled walls still echo with stories — if we know how to listen.

  • What is the history of Dun Ailinne?

    Dun Ailinne crowns Knockaulin Hill in County Kildare—an Iron-Age ritual enclosure where Leinster kings gathered for inauguration and seasonal feasts. Excavations (1968-75) uncovered wooden temple rings, feasting debris and imported glass beads, revealing a ceremonial complex on par with Tara and Rathcroghan yet still hidden beneath pasture today.

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