From the archives: Bronze Age axe head found in Mayo bog in 1937

By Tom Gillespie

ON Saturday, June 12, 1937, while engaged in cutting turf on the bog at Carrowmacantire, Mr. Thomas O’Connor, Carrickcat, Tullraghan, Ballyhaunis, discovered a bronze battle axe head in an excellent state of preservation.

The site of the find is approximately four-and-a-half miles south-west of Ballyhaunis, and is the centre of an extensive tract of bog, which stretches away toward all points of the compass.

The object was found at a depth of about 20 feet beneath the original surface of the turf bank.

The axe head belongs to the type generally known as ‘Celts’, and is of the earlier or narrow form, called by way of distinction a ‘sparra’ or ‘sparth’ to differentiate it from the broad variety used by the galloglasses, and in the more ancient form of weapon.

When it is remembered that the Bronze Age extends from say 2000 B.C. to 200 B.C., roughly speaking, the venerable antiquity of the object may be estimated. And considering its great age, one cannot help marvelling at the excellence and finish manifested in the workmanship.

A double interest attaches to this particular ‘find’, firstly because of the antique itself and its age; and, secondly, because it the first object in bronze that has been discovered and reported in this district up to the present (1937).

There is just the possibility, though, that similar objects have been found before now, but being considered by the finders of no value, either commercially or aesthetically, have been thrown aside as being worthless from any practical or useful point of view.

Indeed the finder of the antique under consideration has declared that in the past several objects have been discovered in the same section of bog, amongst other things being ‘something in the shape of a large knife’ (probably or possibly a bronze sword), but the finder thought so little of it that he pitched it into a deep bog hole.

A flint arrow head has also been found near the spot as well as some wooden vessel, which were throw aside as worthless, being considered of no intrinsic value or obvious utility or beauty.

Mr. O’Connor reported his find to the Ballyhaunis Historical and Archaeological Society, and the object was in due course forwarded to the National Museum for inspection and appraisal.

Having satisfied himself of the genuineness and educational value of the find, Dr. A. Mahr, director and keeper of Irish Antiquities, entered into negotiations with the finder and ultimately acquired it for the national collection.

As an equal to the ‘find’, Dr. Mary O’Leary, D.Ph., of the botanical section of the National Museum, was dispatched to carry out geological and paleo-botanical investigations on the bog.

Dr. O’Leary arrived in Ballyhaunis on Tuesday evening last (29th) and on Wednesday morning set out to identify the exact spot where the axe-head was discovered, under the guidance of the finder.

In adoption to making borings in the bog and securing samples of the different strata of the turf-banks, from the lowest to the highest known levels, she also collected numerous specimens of the flora found growing wild in the neighbourhood. A strenuous day’s work carried out in very unfavourable meteorological conditions did not conclude until an advanced hour in the afternoon.

All the peat samples and specimens of the local flora are being taken by Dr. O’Leary to the museum for analysis and classification, and there is a possibility that she has secured some interesting varieties to be added to the extensive collection already acquired in various parts of Ireland by the museum.

In addition to the special object for which she came into the district, Dr. O’Leary, who had not been previously in Mayo, expressed a desire to visit some of the more interesting and historic places in and around Ballyhaunis; as many at least as the limited time at her disposal would permit.

The historic and antiquarian associations of the ancient Augustinian Abbey and the adjoining cemetery particularly interested her, and in the course of a conversation with her guide, it transpired that she had already heard and learned a great deal about the ancient institution, by reason of the fact that her uncle, the late saintly Fr. O’Leary, O.S.A., had filled the high office of Prior in Ballyhaunis for a number of years.

With the characteristic courtesy of hospitality for which he is famous, Rev. G.J. Prendergast, P.P., showed Dr. O’Leary over St. Patrick’s Church, summarising its history, and pointing out and explaining its different features of interest, the magnificence of its construction, and the beauty and value of its sacred and artistic treasures.

On the journey out to Carrowmacantire, Dr. O’Leary halted to pay a brief visit to St. Patrick’s Well at Holywell, and take a passing glimpse at the nearby ruins of the old Franciscan foundation dating back to the 14th century.

It gave her the highest pleasure to think that she stood on the spot allowed by the footsteps of St. Patrick sixteen hundred years ago, and to see the well where he baptised our pagan ancestors.

She made minute inquiries as to the traditions associated with the spot, the date of the annual pattern, and whether it continued to be still observed, the method and procedure adopted in ‘making the stations’ at the holy well, and whenever they were still made by people or had they become obsolete.

Dr. O’Leary expressed the deepest regret that owing to the amount of work she had to do within the limited time allowed her by the authorities at headquarters, she could not avail herself on the present occasion of the opportunity of inspecting the sites of other bog ‘finds’ in the neighbourhood, such as Annagh bog, where the ancient wooden tray was discovered by Mr. John Maguire; the Togher bog, where Mr. Michael Hannon found the mether; the Holywell bog, where the ancient milking-pail was dug out by Mr. Thomas Lyons; the Derryvackna bog, where the remains of a giant red deer were discovered by Mr. P. Henry; the Pollnacroaghy bog, where Mr. P.G. Glavey found the fine bog-butter vessel, and so forth.

Nor could time be found to view the famous Ogham Stones at Island and Ballybeg; the Cromlech (locally known as the ‘resting place of Diarmaid and Grainne’) at Greenwood; or Bekan Lake in whose bottom the ancient ‘dug-out’ or primitive canoe is firmly embedded; or several other places and objects of historical or antiquarian interest, Mannin, Raith, Feamore etc.; the souterrains (underground dwellings) at Larganboy, Carrowneddan, Aughamore, etc.; or the beautiful ecclesiastical ruins of the Dominican foundation at Urlaur.

Dr. O’Leary left on Thursday morning to carry out similar investigations on Moate (Co. Roscommon) bog.

During her brief sojourn in Ballyhaunis the distinguished lady scientist had been a guest at the Central Hotel, where the courteous and amiable proprietress, Miss Aggie Waldron, entertained her in the usual first class style.