Among the relics from these crannogs illustrated in Wilde's catalogue I find the following in addition to those already given. A bone with carved devices of interlaced work ([Fig. 118]), somewhat similar to those on a bone from Lagore already noticed. Portion of a handsome bone comb, 10 inches in length, with a frame back riveted together with iron nails. The engraving shows the comb restored ([Fig. 119]). From Ardakillen there is a beautiful bronze brooch with late Celtic ornamentation ([Fig. 120]), and from Lough Scur a stone mould for casting bronze axes ([Fig. 121]).
LOUGH RAVEL NEAR RANDALSTOWN.
In addition to Sir W. R. Wilde's notes on the great crannog near Randalstown (B. 24), some very interesting observations on the antiquities found on it are given in the Ulster Journal of Archæology, vol. vii., supplementary to Troyon's account of the Swiss Lake-dwellings. (B. 27.) The most complete account, however, is that of the late Mr. Ed. Benn, from which I take the following extract:—
"The island near Randalstown," writes Mr. Benn, "was a very large and important one, said to have been occupied by a member of the O'Neil family. The lake on which it stood has been long since drained, and a peat moss now occupies the place, which has been yielding antiquities for the last twenty or thirty years, and still produces some annually. A good idea of the importance of this island may be formed from the number of tools and appliances for carrying on the ordinary trades which have been discovered on it, as the tongs and anvil of the smith, which latter is a rough lump of iron somewhat smoothed on one side, and weighing fifty or sixty pounds. Its use as an anvil is only conjecture; but it is thought a highly probable one, and, if correct, it shows the difficulty of procuring in those rude times a piece of iron large and heavy enough for such a purpose. Then there were found also the crucibles of the brass-founder, one unused, and several greatly worn and burned out. The perfect one is very neat and good, and about the size of a small hen's egg. Then we have next the scissors and two needles of the tailor; one of the needles is about the size of what is called a darning-needle; the other long and strong resembling a packing-needle, such as is used for sewing sackcloth: both are made of brass, and well formed. There was also found the awl of the shoemaker, a very curious article, and apparently older than the other things; the blade of this awl is of brass, and the handle of stone. Several axes or hatchets of the carpenter have turned up, very like those of the present day; also a pair of small shears, such as are used by weavers. Connected with agriculture were found a very small sock of a plough, a curious spade, very light, about four feet long, all of wood, but neatly tipped with iron on the edge; and a pair of very large shears, for clipping sheep. There was also a netting-needle of iron; but few warlike weapons of any kind. None of the latter, indeed, came within my observation but an iron sword and a very good battle-axe, such as was used by the galloglasses; it is shaped like the axe used by coopers, and is very interesting from its rarity." The further objects described by Mr. Benn are pins of brass, iron, bone, and wood, generally from 3 to 5 inches long; a large glass bead and a small crescent-shaped piece of glass; a button with two eyes; a horseshoe; a few fragments of pottery; a wooden scoop; a brass dish 15 inches across, including the rim, which is an inch and a half broad: it is rather more than 2 inches deep; some knives; a comb, neatly made of bone and riveted with iron nails. "Besides the things here enumerated, the bog around the Randalstown crannog has already yielded several boats and parts of boats; these were all hollowed out of large trees and were very well formed. One of large size, and quite perfect, has been taken out lately from beneath sixteen feet of moss. It has been stated, when first raised, it retained its original form entire, but soon became warped and out of shape. In the bottom of this boat lay a very neatly made oak paddle, about three feet and a half long, and a wooden bowl capable of holding nearly a quart. It was very thick and rude-looking, not made by turning, but by hollowing out of a solid piece, like the boat itself." (B. 29, p. 86.)
Fig. 122.—Lough Ravel. No. 2 = 1⁄6, 3 and 14 = 1⁄4, and the rest = 1⁄2 real size.
Some of the relics from the Randalstown crannog I have been able to identify in the Belfast Museum, and a few others from the same place I found in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy at Dublin. These, together with a silver brooch copied from the Journal of the Royal Historical and Archæological Association of Ireland (B. 215), and three bronze brooches from the Ulster Journal of Archæology, vols. iv. p. 269, and vi. p. 103, are illustrated on [Fig. 122].
TONYMORE.
The next important lacustrine discoveries were made in the loch of Tonymore, county Cavan. It appears that this small lake was celebrated for its pike-fishing, and contained a dry mound or island about 50 yards in diameter, which was much resorted to by sportsmen. That this island was a crannog was never suspected till a considerable time after it had been drained in consequence of the railway having to pass through it. Though wooden piles and some relics were then found, the real nature of the discovery was not understood till the publication of Sir W. R. Wilde's catalogue of the Museum of the Royal Irish Academy in 1857, which gave an account of several similar stations. Among the relics then collected at Tonymore were several querns, sharpening stones, a yew bow, and (in the lake mud) two elks' heads.