Ellen Prendergast facts for kids

Ellen M. Prendergast (born June 11, 1918, died May 10, 1999) was a very important person in Irish history. She was Ireland's first female professional archaeologist. This means she was the first woman in Ireland to work full-time studying ancient times and digging up old objects.

Early Life and Learning

Ellen M. Prendergast was born in a place called Killure near Paulstown in County Kilkenny. She was a twin, and her sister's name was Catherine.

Ellen went to school at the Brigidine Convent in Mountrath. While she was there, a librarian named Helen Roe inspired her. Helen taught Ellen about local history and got her excited about archaeology.

In 1938, Ellen started working at the National Museum of Ireland. She was a Technical Assistant, helping with the museum's work. At the same time, she studied at University College Dublin. She earned her first degree in 1943 and a master's degree in 1947. Her studies focused on Celtic Archaeology, which is the study of ancient Celtic cultures and their history.

Her Career as an Archaeologist

Ellen Prendergast spent her entire working life at the National Museum of Ireland. She became an expert in many areas of archaeology. She studied ancient burials, especially those from the later Neolithic period (New Stone Age) and the Early Bronze Age. She also learned a lot about prehistoric pottery and special stone tombs called cist burials.

Ellen always kept a strong interest in the archaeology of her home county, Kilkenny. She often wrote articles for a local history magazine called the Old Kilkenny Review. She was also a member of the Irish Archaeological Society committee starting in 1945.

Besides her work in history, Ellen Prendergast was known for her strong beliefs. She was a feminist, meaning she believed in equal rights for women. She was also a trade unionist, which means she supported workers' rights. On top of that, she was a big supporter of the Irish language.

Ellen retired from the National Museum in 1983. After she retired, she moved back to live in Kilkenny. She continued to write and publish articles about archaeology and history almost until she passed away on May 10, 1999.

Articles in the Old Kilkenny Review

Ellen Prendergast wrote many articles for the Old Kilkenny Review. These articles shared her discoveries and knowledge about the history of County Kilkenny. Here are some of her contributions:

• "Pre-Historic Cooking places in Webbsborough District", 1955.
• "The Moat of Ballyfoyle", 1958.
• "Bronze axehead from Annaleck Upper, civil parish of Powerstown", 1958.
• "Souterrain recently discovered in Kilkenny at Kildalton, Piltown", 1958.
• "Kiln at Luffany, Co Kilkenny", 1960.
• "Prehistoric burial site at Slieverue, Co Kilkenny", 1960.
• "Prehistoric grave at Jeanville, Powerstown, near Gowran", 1962.
• "Ancient cemetery at Coolmore, Knocktopher – cist graves", 1963.
• "New High Cross at Leggettsrath", 1964.
• "Carved stone head in the care of the Nolan family of Glenbower", 1965.
• "Burials at Gallowshill, Kilkenny", 1970.
• "Smithstown axe-head found near Thomastown", 1970.
• "Burial of the Bronze Age at Moyne, Durrow, Co Laois", 1974.
• "Fulacht fiadh at Firgrove near Inistioge", 1976.
• "Fulacht fiadh at Ballyhimmin, near Castlecomer", 1977.
• "Medieval jug from Castleinch or Inchyologhan", 1977.
• "A bronze axehead from Tullaroan area", 1981.
• "Two artefacts of the Bronze Age from County Kilkenny (spearhead from 1984 Tullaroan and axehead from Rathcash, Clifden)", 1984.
• "A spearhead with a difference – found by James Healy of Rathkyle, near 1985 Conahy", 1985.
• "The Vigors collection", 1985.
• "An ancient repair method to a bronze spearhead", 1986.
• "The birthplace at Higginstown of Fr Matt Keeffe (1811–1887), Callan curate", 1987.
• "Viking sword from Harley Park, parish of Ballingarry", 1991.
• "Fertility figure, or Sheelagh-na-Gig, from Tullaroan", 1992.
• "Images of the Holy Trinity: two new examples, at St Rioch's Kilkenny and 1993 Ballybromhill, Co Carlow", 1993.