The Bronze Age in Ireland

by George Coffey

Fig. 2.—Birr find.

5. Two copper celts found together at Clontoo, near Kenmare, County Kerry, in 1906. (Fig. [4], nos. 2 and 3.)

6. Six copper celts found together at Cappeen, County Cork.

The distribution, analyses, types, and finds show that the copper celts represent a period when copper was in common use throughout Ireland and before bronze was generally known. The celts from the Ray Collection mentioned above show that the fully developed celt was in use during this period, while the “Birr find” with the halberd shows that the halberd was also known and in use during the full copper period.

Fig. 3.—Copper Knife and Awls found at Knocknague.

Moulds for casting flat celts, copper and bronze, have been found in the following places in Ireland:—Carrickfergus; Ballymena; Loughgall, County Antrim; Ballynahinch, County Down; and Lough Scur Crannog, County Leitrim.[10]