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When did the Iron Age begin?
1400 BC
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When did the Iron Age begin in Ireland?
500 BC
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Who were the Celts?
The Celts were a farming and warlike people who came from Central Europe. They were very powerful and took over many parts of Europe. They mainly used iron to make their tools and weapons.
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How do we know about the Celts?
Archaeological Evidence
Ancient Greek and Roman writers
Written records from the early Christian monks in Ireland
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Name the two famous archaeological sites in Europe.
Hallstatt in Austria
La Tène in Switzerland
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Who was the famous Greek philosopher who wrote about the Celts?
Plato
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How did Plato describe the Celts?
Plato described the Celts as 'warlike people who drank too much wine.'
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Is the information that the Roman and Greek writers tell us about the Celts reliable?
The information is biased but it is still very valuable to know.
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When did Christianity come to Ireland?
Christianity came to Ireland in 432 AD
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How did the Celts pass down their history from generation to generation?
The Celts had an oral tradition of storytelling. They thought the generations after them with storytelling.
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What is the most famous legend that the monks in the eighth century wrote about?
Táin Bó Cuailgne
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What does the legend 'Táin Bó Cuailgne' tell us about?
Táin Bó Cuailgne tells us about a fight between the men of Connacht and the men of Ulster over a bull. The hero of the story is a warrior called Cú Chulainn.
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What is the name of the records the monks wrote about, of the main events that happened each year called?
Annals
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What was the 'Tuath'?
Tuatha were kingdoms. The people and the land that they lived on were called the Tuath.
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How many Tuatha were in Ireland?
Over 150
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Who ruled the Tuath?
The 'Rí' ruled the Tuath.
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What was the name of the family that the Rí belonged to called?
The Rí belonged to the Derbhfine (royal family).
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Draw an illustration to show the order of importance of the people of the Tuath (pyramid).
- Rí
- Nobles/Warriors
- Aos Dána- Judges(Brehons),Druids,Bards,Filí,doctors
- Craftspeople
- Farmers
- Slaves
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Who were the Aos Dána?
The Aos Dána were the learned and skilled people of the Tuath.
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Who was included in the Aos Dána and what job did they do?
Brehons/Judges- These people studied for a long time to become experts in Celtic Laws (Brehons Laws). They helped the Rí rule justly.
Druids/Priests- These people organised religious ceremonies and offered sacrifices to the gods. Their training took up to 20 years.
Doctors- These people knew about herbal remedies and how to treat diseases. They also trained for many years.
Filí/Poets- These people wrote praise poems about the Rí and the Warriors. They also wrote long poems about the history of the Tuath.
Bards/Musicians- These people entertained the Rí and the Warriors with recitations and music.
Craftspeople- These people were skilled carpenters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths and stone masons.
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What was the biggest group in the Tuath?
The farmers.
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What did the farmers do in the Tuath?
The farmers rented land from the Warriors, grew crops and looked after the animals.
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Were Celtic farmers Nobles?
No, the nobles looked down on them but everyone relied on them for food.
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What was the lowest class in Celtic Society?
The slaves
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How did most of the slaves become slaves?
Most slaves were prisoners captured in wars with neighbouring Tuaths or from abroad. They were owned by their masters and had to work for free.
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Were women considered important in Celtic Ireland?
Most women were not considered noble, however, some women were noble, and held an important position in Celtic Society. Under Brehon Law, noble women could own property.
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Name two famous noble Celtic women.
Boudicca and Queen Maedbh of Connacht.
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Name the four main types of Celtic settlement in Ireland.
Raths, crannógs, hillforts, promontory forts.
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What are raths?
Raths were forts enclosed by circular ditches or mounds of earth. The forts were usually made from timber or stones. Stone raths were called cashels.
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What are crannógs and how were they made?
Crannógs were man-made Islands in lakes. They were little huts in the middle of a lake. People got across to the crannóg by either bridges, steppingstones or small rowing boats. They were made the following way:
- 1: A circle of wooden stakes was put into the bed of the lake
- 2: A mound of stones, mud and twigs was put into the circle to bring the island to water-level
- 3: A wooden fence was put around the mound
- 4: Small houses were built inside the fence
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Hat are hillforts?
Hillforts were like raths, but much bigger and build on top of a hill.
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Name two famous hillforts.
Emain Macha (Co. Armagh)
Tara (Co. Meath)
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What are promontory forts?
Promontory forts were built on cliff tops. They are mainly found on the west and south coast of Ireland.
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Name a famous promontory fort.
Dún Aengus is a famous promontory fort. It is in Inis Mór on the Aran Islands.
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What farming animal was very important to the Celts?
Cattle was very important to the Celts.
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Where did Celtic farmers get their meat for winter?
Celtic farmers slaughtered their animals in Autumn and preserved the meat in salt for winter. If there wasn't enough meat, they would hunt wild animals.
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How did the Celts cook their meat?
The Celts cooked their meat on a spit or in big pots (cauldrons) over open fires.
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What tool was used to grind wheat into flour?
A rotary quern stone
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What did rich Celts wear?
Rich Celtic men wore a knee-length woollen tunic called a 'léine' which was tied at the waist by a 'crois'.
Rich Celtic women wore ankle-length linen tunics.
In winter, rich Celts wore a woollen cloak (brat) pinned at the shoulder with a gold or silver brooch.
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What did poor Celtic men and women wear?
Poor Celtic men wore wool tousers.
Poor Celtic women wore a long plain wool tunic.
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Who was 'An Dagda'?
An Dagda was the chief God of the Celts. He was also the God of the afterlife.
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Who was Lugh?
Lugh was the God of war.
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Who was Brigid?
Brigid was the main goddess.
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Who was Boann?
Boann was the river goddess. She gave her name to the River Boyne.
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Name four main Celtic religious festivals.
Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa
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Name a type of Celtic gravestone.
Ogham Stone
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