Prehistoric and Historic Settlement (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes

Prehistoric and Historic Settlement

Introduction to settlement

Settlement patterns in Ireland tell the story of how different groups of people have lived on the island over thousands of years. Each civilisation that arrived brought new technologies, ways of life, and settlement styles that we can still identify today through archaeological evidence and map features.

The story of Irish settlement begins approximately 9,000 years ago when the first inhabitants crossed land bridges from Britain. These early settlers chose the Boyne Valley in County Meath because it offered fertile soil, fresh water, and natural shelter. Since then, Ireland has experienced waves of different cultures, each leaving distinctive marks on the landscape that we can identify on Ordnance Survey maps today.

Prehistoric settlement patterns

Mesolithic period (7000-3500 BCE)

The earliest inhabitants of Ireland were nomadic hunter-gatherers who moved frequently in search of food. Because of their mobile lifestyle, very little physical evidence of Mesolithic settlement remains visible today.

The main evidence we have of Mesolithic settlement comes from middens found near water sources. These early people deliberately chose locations close to rivers, lakes, or coastal areas because water provided drinking supplies, cooking facilities, food sources through fishing, and transportation routes. Some middens are also found on elevated ground like hilltops, which offered defensive advantages and good views of the surrounding area.

OS map evidence:

• Middens (shown as archaeological sites near water sources)

Neolithic period (3500-2000 BCE)

The Neolithic people brought agriculture to Ireland, becoming the country's first farmers. This marked a revolutionary change from the nomadic lifestyle of their predecessors. These communities cleared Ireland's extensive forests to create farmland where they could grow crops and raise livestock.

Unlike their Mesolithic ancestors, Neolithic people established permanent settlements in single locations. They constructed houses using wattle and daub materials, though these structures have not survived to the present day. Their settlement locations showed careful planning - they typically chose low-lying areas near rivers because these provided fertile alluvial soils and excellent drainage for their crops.

The most significant surviving evidence of Neolithic civilisation consists of elaborate burial monuments. These structures demonstrate sophisticated engineering knowledge and understanding of astronomical movements. Many tombs feature alignments with the sun, particularly during the winter solstice, showing their awareness of seasonal changes.

OS map evidence:

• Megalithic tombs (large stone burial chambers)
• Passage tombs (corridor-style burial monuments)
• Portal dolmens (stone table-like structures)
• Standing stones (individual upright stones)

Bronze Age (2000-600 BCE)

Bronze Age communities represented a significant technological advancement, transitioning from stone tools to metal implements made from copper and tin alloys. This period shows increased technological sophistication and more organised society structures.

Most Bronze Age settlements were constructed close to their resource sources. For example, copper mines influenced settlement locations, with communities building homes near mining areas. The famous Gleninsheen Gorget from County Cork, dating to 800-700 BCE, demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship achieved during this period.

Bronze Age burial practices differed markedly from Neolithic traditions. Instead of constructing large communal tombs, Bronze Age people created smaller individual burial sites including wedge tombs, stone chambers, and small earthen mounds called barrows.

OS map evidence:

• Copper mine locations
• Wedge tombs (small stone burial chambers)
• Stone chambers
• Small barrows (burial mounds)
• Earthworks

Historic settlement patterns

Celtic settlement (600 BCE-500 CE)

Celtic communities arrived in Ireland from mainland Europe, bringing iron-working technology and more sophisticated weapons. These were warrior societies organised into kingdoms called tuaths, each controlling specific territories across the island.

Celtic settlement patterns reflected their need for defence and their scattered social organisation. Rather than building concentrated towns, they constructed isolated individual dwellings distributed throughout their territories. Their choice of settlement locations prioritised defensive advantages - elevated sites, cliff edges, or areas near marshes and lakes that provided natural protection.

Celtic communities developed various types of defensive settlements. Ring forts consisted of circular earthen banks surrounding living areas. Hill forts utilised natural elevation for protection. Promontory forts took advantage of coastal cliff locations. These defensive structures often included stone walls for additional security.

OS map evidence:

• Ring forts (circular earthen enclosures)
• Hill forts (fortified hilltop sites)
• Promontory forts (cliff-edge defensive sites)
• Crannógs (artificial lake islands)
• Place names including: Rath, Lios/Lis, Dun, Caisel, Cahir, or Caher

Early Christian settlement (500-800 CE)

Early Christian communities deliberately chose isolated and scenic locations for their settlements. Places like Glendalough in County Wicklow exemplify this pattern - remote areas that provided peaceful environments for prayer and religious devotion while offering natural defensive advantages.

Many monasteries established during this period later developed into Ireland's first towns. Examples include Kells in County Meath and Skellig Michael in County Kerry. Churches were frequently constructed near important features such as holy wells, emphasising the connection between Christian worship and natural landscape elements.

Early Christian buildings used wattle and daub construction surrounded by circular defensive fences. The distinctive beehive-shaped stone huts found at sites like Skellig Michael demonstrate the architectural techniques of this period.

OS map evidence:

• Holy wells
• Cross-inscribed stones
• Round towers (tall stone defensive/bell towers)
• High crosses (carved stone monuments)
• Monasteries and churches
• Graveyards

Viking settlement (800-1169 CE)

Viking raiders first arrived in Ireland during the late eighth century, initially attacking monastic settlements along the coast before establishing permanent trading settlements. Prior to Viking arrival, Ireland lacked true urban centres.

Vikings established their settlements at strategic locations along rivers and coasts, particularly concentrating along Ireland's eastern and south-eastern shores. They chose sites that offered both trading opportunities through European connections and defensive advantages against Irish resistance. Their ports were typically located at river mouths or sheltered coastal areas that provided natural harbours.

Viking settlements introduced a new urban form to Ireland - towns with radial street patterns extending outward from central points. Although the original wooden Viking structures have not survived, their street layouts remain visible in modern town centres, such as Dublin's original layout pattern.

OS map evidence:

• Place names ending in 'ford' or 'low' (e.g., Arklow, Wexford, Waterford)
• Radial street patterns in town centres

Norman settlement (1169 CE onwards)

Norman settlers arrived from Britain and conquered existing Viking towns, transforming Ireland's settlement landscape through castle construction and planned urban development. Defence and control were paramount concerns for Norman communities.

Norman towns typically developed around castles, which served dual functions as military strongholds and residential centres. Castle locations were carefully chosen for defensive advantages - elevated ground positions or river bend locations that provided natural protection. Many castles were also positioned to control fertile agricultural land and water sources.

The Normans introduced comprehensive urban planning concepts to Ireland. They constructed town walls and gates not only for protection but also to control trade activities and prevent disease spread. Town development often occurred in low-lying areas near castles where water and farmland were readily available.

Norman religious connections led to the establishment of priories and abbeys near their settlements. These religious institutions reflected their ties to Cistercian and Franciscan monastic orders.

OS map evidence:

• Castles (stone defensive structures)
• Motte (artificial earthen mounds topped with wooden structures)
• Moat (water-filled defensive ditches)
• Bailey (enclosed courtyards around castles)
• Town walls and gates
• Abbeys and priories
• Place names beginning with 'Bally' (from 'baile', meaning settlement)

Plantation town settlements (1500-1700 CE)

Plantation towns were created during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries as part of English and Scottish colonisation efforts. These planned communities were designed to be loyal to the English crown and to establish Protestant settlements in predominantly Catholic Ireland.

Many plantation towns featured defensive elements including fortified buildings and protective walls, as attacks from displaced Irish populations were common threats. The towns followed organised layouts with main streets leading to central market squares or diamond-shaped areas where weekly markets and fairs took place.

Plantation town planning showed sophisticated urban design concepts. Streets were deliberately built wide to accommodate commercial activities, and buildings were typically constructed two or three storeys high. The settlements were located near large landowner estates, known as demesnes, which were divided into small land parcels called lots for individual settlers.

Transportation networks developed alongside these towns, with road and canal systems connecting plantation settlements to facilitate trade and communication.

Examples of Irish plantation towns:

• Charleville, County Cork
• Adare, County Limerick
• Birr, County Offaly
• Maynooth, County Kildare
• Donegal Town, County Donegal

OS map evidence:

• Fortified houses and defensive walls
• Market squares or diamond-shaped central areas
• Demesnes (large planned estates)
• Canals and planned road networks
• Grid-patterned street layouts
• Ornamental gardens

New towns (1960 CE onwards)

New towns represent Ireland's response to modern urban planning challenges, particularly addressing urban sprawl from Dublin and other major cities. Beginning in the 1960s, planners developed these settlements by expanding smaller villages into larger urban areas designed to contain population growth in controlled, well-planned environments.

New towns are strategically positioned around transport connections, factory locations, and modern infrastructure. Shannon in County Clare exemplifies this approach - built during the 1960s to serve workers at the airport and the newly constructed Shannon Industrial Estate.

Modern planning principles emphasise efficient space utilisation, with new towns featuring higher housing density compared to earlier settlement types. Many new towns centre around industrial estates that provide employment opportunities for residents.

OS map evidence:

• Planned street layouts
• Large housing estates
• Industrial estates and modern infrastructure