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Papers: List of Papers 2002-04 |
The Coasting Trade Terry Conlan |
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Who Were The Celts? |
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A talk entitled "Who Were The Celts?" was given by Ena Keye to the Skerries Historical Society at its January meeting. It was an enjoyable and thought-provoking lecture, illustrated with beautiful slides. The Irish Celts were written about by many writers such as Giraldus Cambrensis in the 12th. century and Arthur Young in the 18th. century. Descriptions show the Celts as a handsome race with a wide brow tapering to a narrow chin. The original Celts occupied parts of Europe and Asia Minor in the Iron and Bronze Ages. They were known to the Greeks as Keltoi and to the Romans as Gauls, and lived from the 5th. to the 1st. century B.C.
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From the slides shown and from numerous archaeological sites we have discovered that the Celts had considerable wealth and power. Burials, like that discovered at Vix in France were very rich, with funeral carts with iron, leather and gold. Gold torcs, brooches and silks were found on the remains. Ornamental cauldrons and drinking horns were highly decorated. Amber featured in these ornaments. Ireland has many archaeological treasures from the Celts, including the Broighter hoard, found near Derry. Some of the gold torcs are masterpieces of workmanship. These Celtic ancestors of ours seemed to come alive again during Ena Keye's talk. Stephanie Bourke proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the Skerries Historical Society. |
