AR247 Archaeology of the medieval irish Church (Option)

Module Summary

The developments, styles and influences in Irish ecclesiastical buildings are explored in relation to church architecture in Britain and continental Europe, from the 5^th century to c. AD 1200. The module commences with an examination of the circumstances in  which early church sites were founded and developed.  The archaeological and historical evidence for early organic and stone churches, and the enigma of the Irish round tower, are explored. High crosses are investigated as royal monuments with a political role.  The module concludes with a detailed examination of Romanesque architecture and architectural sculpture in the context of pilgrimage, to the end of the twelfth century. The module includes a field class at a church site in Ireland.

Core Texts

• Bracken, D. and Ó Riain-Raedel, D. (eds) 2006 Ireland and Europe in the twelfth century: reform and renewal. Dublin.
• FitzPatrick, E. and Gillespie, R. (eds) 2006 The parish in medieval and early modern Ireland. Dublin.
• Marshall, J.M. and Walsh, C.  2005 Illaunloughan Island: an early medieval monastery in County Kerry. Dublin.
• Ó Carragáin, T. and O' Sullivan, J. 2008 Inishmurray: monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. volume 1: survey and excavations 1997-2000. Cork.
• O’Keeffe, T. 2003 Romanesque Ireland: architecture and ideology in the twelfth century. Dublin.

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