Romance and the stones: unpicking interpretations of Irish megalithic monuments

In medieval Ireland, megalithic monuments were mainly of local interest. Folk traditions usually attributed their presence to supernatural beings and mythical heroes. Superstitious beliefs often protected the monuments from looting, although many were quarried for stone. As land improvements gathered pace during the eighteenth century, the vulnerability of the monuments increased, particularly in prime agricultural areas. The Enlightenment inspired the founding of learned societies, such as Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), which promoted technological and scientific progress, alongside cultural studies such as antiquarianism and historical research. Antiquaries travelled to ancient monuments producing sketches and plans, and acquiring artefacts. Large collections were amassed by the RDS and the RIA, as well as some wealthy individuals.
This new ‘scientific’ interest in megalithic monuments was tempered by Romanticism. Artistic representations of the monuments, articles in books and journals, and the public display of artefacts, brought megalithic monuments to the attention of urban audiences. The monuments were variously attributed to wild Irish savages yet to benefit from the civilising influence of British colonists, or the fallen heroes of a proud and independent ancient Irish civilisation – depending upon the opposing sympathies of the British ruling class and the majority Gaelic Irish population. As the Gaelic Irish middle classes expanded in the nineteenth century, Celtic nationalism began to depose colonial narratives, and ancient monuments were adopted as symbols of Gaelic (Catholic) Irish identity. This paper examines the establishment of megalithic monuments as icons of national identity, and assesses the impact of their politicisation on current archaeological interpretations, popular representations and cultural tourism.