The Bronze Age in Ireland

by George Coffey

Fig. 43.—Half of mould for casting spear-head and dagger, Killymeddy, Co. Antrim.

Spear-ferules

Fig. 44.—Bronze spear ferules.

Fig. 45.—Bronze spear
ferule with La Tène
ornament.

From time to time objects of bronze have been found in Ireland of a curious shape, somewhat like the handle of a door; and their use was considered uncertain; it is, however, clear that they were the ferules of spears; and in some cases the remains of the wooden shafts have been found inside them. The finding, moreover, of one in the Lisnacroghera Crannog with the whole of the shaft, measuring 8 feet in length, attached to it, places the matter beyond dispute.[15] It also shows that these objects were in use down to the early Iron Age, as most of the objects of the Lisnacroghera find belong to the La Tène period.

Other ferules assume a long and graceful shape, and one is decorated with La Tène motives (fig. [45]).

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