List of hoards in Ireland facts for kids

The list of hoards in Ireland tells us about amazing collections of old coins, jewelry, metal objects, and other valuable things found across the island of Ireland. This includes both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

What is a hoard? It's a group of valuable items that someone buried a long, long time ago. Sometimes people buried them to keep them safe and planned to dig them up later. These could be personal treasures, things a merchant was carrying, or even loot from a raid. Other times, people buried them as special gifts or offerings to gods, and they didn't expect to get them back.

This list does not include items found in graves or single items found alone. We'll explore these hoards by looking at the different time periods they come from.

Ancient Treasures: Neolithic Hoards (4500 to 2500 BC)

The Neolithic period was a time when people started farming and living in settled communities. The hoards from this time often show us the tools and valuable items they used.

Hoard	Image	When it's from	Where it was found	When it was found	Where it is now	What was inside
Malone Hoard	16 porcellanite axes from the Malone Hoard	Neolithic period	Danesfort House, Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim	1869–1918	Ulster Museum, Belfast	19 shiny porcellanite axes (these were special stone axes)

Bronze Age Riches: Hoards from 2500 to 700 BC

The Bronze Age was when people learned to mix copper and tin to make bronze, a strong metal for tools and weapons. Many beautiful gold items were also made during this time.

Iron Age Discoveries: Hoards from 700 BC to 400 AD

During the Iron Age, people began using iron, which was stronger and more common than bronze. However, gold still remained a very important material for special items.

Hoard	Image	When it's from	Where it was found	When it was found	Where it is now	What was inside
Broighter Hoard	Boat from the Broighter hoard	1st century BC	Near Limavady, County Londonderry	1896	National Museum of Ireland, Dublin	1 gold model ship, 1 gold model cauldron, 2 gold neck chains, 2 twisted gold torc necklets, 1 hollow gold torc or collar
Dooyork Hoard		3rd century BC to 2nd century AD	Dooyork, County Mayo	2001	National Museum of Ireland, Dublin	4 gold torcs, 3 bronze bracelets, 7 amber beads

Roman Hoards: A Glimpse of the Empire in Ireland

Ireland was never part of the powerful Roman Empire. So, finding Roman treasures here is quite rare! These hoards were likely brought to Ireland by Irish raiders who took them from Roman Britain.

Hoard	Image	When it's from	Where it was found	When it was found	Where it is now	What was inside
Balline Hoard		Late 4th century	Balline, County Limerick	1940	National Museum of Ireland, Dublin	4 silver bars (ingots) and 3 pieces of silver plate
Coleraine Hoard	Hack silver, ingots and coins from the Coleraine Hoard	Early 5th century	Ballinrees, County Londonderry	1854	British Museum, London Ulster Museum, Belfast	1,701 silver Roman coins, a silver bowl, and 6 kg of silver bars and hacksilver (pieces of silver cut up for trade)

Early Medieval Hoards: From Christianity to Normans (400 to 1100 AD)

This period saw the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and the growth of monasteries. Many beautiful metal objects were created, often with intricate designs.

Hoard	Image	When it's from	Where it was found	When it was found	Where it is now	What was inside
Ardagh Hoard	The Ardagh chalice	Early 10th century	Ardagh Fort, County Limerick	1868	National Museum of Ireland, Dublin	1 silver chalice (a cup used in church), 1 bronze chalice, 4 silver-gilt brooches
Derrynaflan Hoard	The Derrynaflan chalice	Early 10th century	Near Killenaule, County Tipperary	1980	National Museum of Ireland, Dublin	A set of church vessels: a silver chalice, a silver paten (a plate for bread), a stand for the paten, a strainer, and a bronze basin

Viking Hoards: Norse Treasures in Ireland

The Vikings arrived in Ireland from the late 8th century, bringing new goods and ideas. Their hoards often contain coins and silver from different parts of Europe.

Medieval Hoards: Later Treasures (1066 to 1500)

This period covers the time after the Norman invasion of Ireland. Hoards from this era often include coins and other items reflecting the changing times.

Post-Medieval Hoards: After the Middle Ages (1536 onwards)

These hoards date from after 1536, when England began to take more control over Ireland. Many of these hoards are from the late 1500s, especially during the Nine Years' War (1594–1603), a time of great trouble, especially in Ulster. People often buried their valuables to protect them during these unstable times.

See also

• List of hoards in Great Britain
• List of hoards in the Channel Islands
• List of hoards in the Isle of Man
• List of metal detecting finds