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A turquoise and red glass bead found at the ringfort and believed to date from Early Medieval Ireland.

Irish archeologists reveal an ancient nobles' ringfort from Early Medieval period in Galway

The site is thought to have been home to a local ruler such as a king or a lord.

ARCHEOLOGISTS HAVE CONFIRMED a ringfort overlooking Galway Bay was a settlement for rulers and nobles in Ireland’s Early Medieval period. 

The Rathgurreen Ringfort in the Maree area of Co Galway is now thought to have been a “high status” settlement that dates anywhere from the 5th to 12th century. 

An eight week excavation has revealed discoveries which suggest that parts of the site are perhaps 1000 years older than originally thought, with evidence of contact with Rome, Scotland, France and Scandinavia. 

The site is thought to have been home to a local ruler such as a king or a lord – that theory was first proposed by NUIG Professor Michael Duignan in the late 1940s. 

the dig University of Galway's Dr Michelle Comber with Susan Curran from the Discovery Programme: Centre for Archaeology and Innovation Ireland.

Dr Michelle Comber, an Archaeology lecturer at the University, who co-led the modern-day excavation, said that we can say now with some certainty that Maree “is an ancient territory”. 

She said there are up to 40 ringforts in the area but most are only a third of the size of Rathgurreen. 

“We have evidence of continuity and change at this site – a settlement that possibly dates back to the Iron Age, that was later developed into a very fine ringfort. A new home with links to ancestors would certainly have been very attractive to Early Medieval nobility,” she said. 

During the dig the team found a number of glass beads, some of coloured blue and another turquoise and red. 

“These have parallels in other parts of Ireland and Scotland in the Iron Age – the era that immediately precedes the Early Medieval period,” Dr Comber said.

things they found Glass and amber beads; an Iron Age knife; ancient axe heads and stone tools; French pottery found at Rathgurreen Ringfort.

The dig also confirmed the presence of Early Medieval pottery from northern France and amber beads likely connected with Scandinavian trade routes used by the Vikings. 

There is also evidence of the manufacture of purple dye, including remnants of dog-whelk shellfish that were processed at the settlement to produce the rare, and therefore, valuable colouring. 

“The big takeaway from this site is that a place like Galway had a wider significance in the past, and that significance translates into the present.

“This one site has many tales to tell, and roles to play. People come to the west of Ireland and they think it’s isolated and remote, but Maree’s ancient remains tell us that western Ireland was not cut off from the wider world, geographically or culturally,” Dr Comber reflected.

Community volunteers, University of Galway archeology students and international students from Uppsala University came together this summer to investigate this site, contribute to a new research project, and gain skills vital to pursuing in-demand careers in the archeological profession. 

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    Mute John K
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:08 AM

    Great decision from Kellie, too many boxers go on fighting long after they should have retired

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:13 AM

    @John K: Exactly. Go while on top, Kellie.

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    Mute Colette Byrne
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:13 AM

    She is truly an inspiration, and a great role model for boxing.
    And the inner city, mc gregor could take a leaf out of her book. Be humble.

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    Mute deadslys
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    Aug 7th 2024, 12:15 PM

    @Andrew Clavin: Bet you’re fun at parties…

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 2:50 PM

    @Colette Byrne: McGregor is a global superstar, Harrington is an amateur in women’s boxing, which very few people are interested in

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    Mute Tom L
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    Aug 7th 2024, 3:03 PM

    @Golf Ball: McGregor turned into a roided up jackass when he stopped being a fighter c.2017. The Alverez fight was the last time anyone seen the real McGregor. Global superstar lol not even close, washed up superstar is more apt

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 3:07 PM

    @Tom L: huge comeback about to happen

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    Mute Seanie
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    Aug 7th 2024, 3:39 PM

    @Golf Ball: Conor Mctapout

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:18 AM

    Zidane stopped after victory for the same reasons. She has nothing to prove to anyone. Fantastic fight.

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    Mute John K
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:34 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: Zidane might have suffered more head injury in his last fight

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:30 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: ??? He lost his last game in the WC final and was sent off. He had already decided to retire well before the game

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    Mute John K
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:35 AM

    @Mick Duvanny: it’s a joke…Zidane won his last fight, headbutting matterazi.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:04 AM

    Kellie is our golden girl!

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    Mute Sean Sean
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:21 AM

    Time to name Diamond Park, Páirc Kellie Harrington. Comhghairdeas ó chroí.

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    Mute Lulu
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:54 AM

    @Sean Sean: Don’t be ridiculous.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:32 AM

    @Sean Sean: they should rename croke Park to kellie park

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    Mute Leonard Barry
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    Aug 7th 2024, 12:15 PM

    @Sean Money: Perhaps they should also rename the Aviva Stadium to her name and as we’re at it have an annual public holiday to honour her, would be no harm either to rename Dublin Airport the Kellie Harrington Airport, won’t be long now before someone will be calling for her to be president of the state.

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Aug 7th 2024, 1:07 PM

    @Leonard Barry: a bit much perhaps. Croke Park is in her area so makes sense to change the name to honour her.

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 1:36 PM

    @Sean Sean: name a public toilet after her and leave it at that

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    Mute Sean Money
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    Aug 7th 2024, 1:59 PM

    @Golf Ball: poor kellie would be shitted on

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    Mute Máire K
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    Aug 7th 2024, 1:18 PM

    Take time off Kellie & be with your family. You have done it all, retire now and spend your time promoting the sport you love and know you are a champion in every Irish heart.

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:16 AM

    Chinese boxer was robbed of the gold medal

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    Mute James T.Kirk
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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:21 AM

    @Golf Ball: Nonsense.

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    Mute donal O'brien
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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:53 AM

    @James T.Kirk: the dipschits ate out in force. Sad

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    Mute furry01
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    Aug 7th 2024, 12:47 PM

    @Golf Ball: Probably robbed of the silver anyway, with all those Dubs around in the stadium

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    Mute Tezmond McVicar
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    Aug 7th 2024, 1:47 PM

    @Golf Ball: Poor attempt at trolling there. Must do better.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:59 PM

    Well done Kellie, you done yourself, your family and your country so proud.

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