How did early church sites differ from one another? A comparative approach within the kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland

O'Donnell, Rory; Ó Carragáin, Tomás

How did early church sites differ from one another? A comparative approach within the kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland

Files

O_Donnell_and_Carrag_in_2022_How_did_early_churches_differ.pdf(3.56 MB)

Published Version

Date

1905-07-14

Authors

O'Donnell, Rory

Ó Carragáin, Tomás

Publisher

Liverpool University Press

Abstract

Early medieval Europe is characterised by a wide spectrum of church sites that contributed in distinct ways to the formation of communities and polities. However, it is challenging for archaeologists and historians to distinguish between them because they often employed the same basic ‘grammar’ in their layout and architecture, while most of them receive scant attention in the textual sources. It is argued that the most promising approach is a comparative one within a small, well-defined area, as this removes extraneous regional factors so that measurable variables primarily reflect the character, function, and relative importance of the church. This is illustrated by topographical and geophysical surveys of four examples in the northeast of the Irish kingdom of Fir Maige: a substantial landed monastery (Brigown), an ecclesiastical out-farm on its lands (Kildrum), a lesser landed church (Labbamolaga), and a royal community church (Killeenemer). New evidence is presented for the origins of the sites; for their scale, layout, and development; for habitation, agriculture and craft activity; and for ritual practice. This targeted comparative approach greatly refines our understanding of the specific niches they occupied within the settlement hierarchy.

Keywords

Fir Maige , Ireland , Early medieval Europe , Church sites , Community

Citation

O'Donnell, R. and Ó Carragáin, T. (2022) 'How did early church sites differ from one another? A comparative approach within the kingdom of Fir Maige, Ireland', Church Archaeology, 21, pp. 5-31.