Ancientirelandcolouringbook

Ancient Ireland colouring book from Newgrange to the Vikings

Conor McHale

Six thousand years ago the first farmers came to Ireland. They brought crops, animals and houses. Some farmers surrounded their fields with stone walls like those found at the Ceide Fields, County Mayo.

These farmers buried their dead in great stone tombs. Just over five thousand years ago they built the greatest of these tombs at Newgrange, County Meath. Today, visitors from every corner of the world come to see it.

At Newgrange, a hill of earth sits over a long, narrow passage leading to the burial chamber.

On the solstice, 21 December, a ray of morning sunlight shines down the passage into the chamber, marking an important moment in the ancient year.

Some people who died were buried with very special things, like this amazing mace head from Knowth, County Meath. It once sat on a wooden handle much like a hammer does.

Passage tombs were decorated with strange art. It must have meant something to the people then but today nobody understands it. Can you guess what it means?

The early farmers also introduced pottery to Ireland. It was made by hand and shaped from long coils of clay. Over time, potters changed the shape and size of the pots they made.