📖 Ancient Restoration

Ptolemy's map of ancient #Ireland and her peoples. It was made in 150AD using the geographical knowledge of Mediterranean traders.

A small copper figure of Lares, found in the Boyne, Co Meath. The deity was believed to protect the inhabitants of the Roman household. #Meath

The Romans accessed all parts of Ireland via special trading sites known as Emporia. Roman coins, pottery, jewelry were found at #Newgrange.

Ancient Ireland's most important export was hide/leather, used by the Roman army. Thus the highest grade of freeman was a cattleman (boaire)

Ireland was well-connected to the cultures of the ancient world: Tin was imported from Britain, amber from the Baltic, wax from the Pyrenees.

In the Iliad, Homer described Ireland as "a land of fog and gloom.. beyond it the Sea of Death, where Hell begins." #Ireland #Homer

Hibernia is the Roman name for Ireland, meaning 'the land of winter'. They saw it as an inhospitable land at the edge of the known world.

Icelandic names of Irish origin: Njál (Niall) Brján (Brian), Kjartan (McCartan), Kormakr (Cormac), Kjaran (Ciaran).

Cross sculptures made by Irish monks in their monastic caves on the Westman Islands, #Iceland - 9th century. Some 200 such caves exist.

The first observations of sea ice came from 8th century Irish monks in Iceland. Scientists still make use of their notes today:

The Landnámabók describes how the first #vikings to land in Iceland met 'Papar' - a name given to Irish monks.

Hellnahellir, the largest man-made cave in Iceland. Constructed by Irish monks who settled there before the vikings, circa 900 AD.