Thomas Johnson Westropp facts for kids

Westropp, posing inside a cave or souterrain

Thomas Johnson Westropp (born August 16, 1860, died April 9, 1922) was an Irish expert who studied old things. He was interested in history, old stories, and ancient buildings. He spent his life exploring and writing about Ireland's past.

Thomas Westropp's Life and Work

Westropp was born in 1860 in County Limerick, Ireland. His family had lived there for a long time. From a young age, he loved learning about old places and local traditions. He would take notes on ancient buildings and folk life during family trips.

He went to Trinity College Dublin and finished his studies in 1882. He also got a degree in civil engineering. For a while, he worked on a big project to make the Port of Dublin wider.

After his training, Westropp worked as a surveyor for County Meath. However, he soon decided to follow his passion for archaeology. He spent the rest of his life researching ancient sites along Ireland's western coast.

He created many detailed drawings of old buildings, grave markers, and other ancient remains across Ireland. Many of these drawings are now kept at the Royal Irish Academy. His books and articles can be found in libraries throughout western Ireland.

Exploring County Clare's Past

Discovering Old Stories and Beliefs

Ancient Irish "charms", sketch by Westropp

Plan of Cashlaungarr by Westropp (1913)

While studying ancient monuments in County Clare, Westropp became very interested in the many folk tales he heard from local people. These were old stories, beliefs, and customs passed down through generations.

Over several years, he collected these tales. He then published them in a series of articles between 1910 and 1913. In 2006, these folk tales were put online by the County Clare Library. Many of these stories might have been forgotten if Westropp had not written them down. His work later helped the Irish Folklore Commission in their own research.

Researching Normans and Ancient Sites

Westropp also studied the early history of Clare and Limerick. The Normans called this area "Thomond." He published his findings in three historical essays. These essays covered the years 1275 to 1318.

He then focused on the old palaces of Killaloe. He also studied other ancient stone forts and 'peel towers,' which are also known as tower houses. He wrote several articles about what he discovered from these sites.