Folklore & Archaeology (19th & 20th centuries)

The intersection between archaeology and folklore is a topic I have been interested in since my undergraduate studies in Léann Dúchais. Folklore provides rich insights into the later biographies of artefacts and monuments, revealing how prehistoric and medieval places and objects were reinvented and repurposed in 19th and 20th century Ireland. Often, folklore reveals a response to traumatic life events, with archaeological monuments core to such narratives.

Abbeytown ringfort, Co. Sligo – an early medieval settlement and fairy place (Credit: James Bonsall).

Dowd, M. 2025. ‘Every night, the crying of babies’: the folklore associated with cillíní (children’s burial grounds). Journal of Irish Archaeology 34, 163–177.

Dowd, M. 2023. Invoking the supernatural: Paranormal occurrences during Sligo’s revolutionary period. In: S. McKay and K. Hopper (eds.) A Door Opening: Sligo and the legacies of partition, 54–63. Sligo: Sligo County Council. Read here

Dowd, M. 2018. Bewitched by an elf dart: fairy archaeology, folk magic and traditional medicine in Ireland. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 28(3), 451–473. Read here

Dowd, M. 2019. Fairy flint and lithic lore: the use of prehistoric artefacts in traditional folk medicine. Archaeology Ireland 33(3), 18–21. Read here

Dowd, M. 2018. Saintly associations with caves in Ireland from the early medieval period (AD 400-1169) through to recent times. In: K.A. Bergsvik and M. Dowd (eds.) Caves and Ritual in Medieval Europe, 116–130. Oxbow, Oxford. Read here

Dowd, M. 2024. The folklore and folk traditions associated with Knocknarea Mountain. Sligo Field Club Journal 10, 27–32. Read here.

Dowd, M. 2023. Folklore focus: Vinegar Hill, Co. Wexford. Archaeology Ireland 37(4), 28.

Dowd, M. 2023. Folklore focus: Rathra, Co. Roscommon. Archaeology Ireland 37(3), 24.

Dowd, M. 2023. Folklore focus: Armagh Cathedral, Co. Armagh. Archaeology Ireland 37(2), 24. Read here

Dowd, M. 2023. Folklore focus: Leamaneh Castle, Co. Clare. Archaeology Ireland 37(1), 41. Read here

Dowd, M. 2022. Folklore focus: Labbacallee wedge tomb, Co. Cork. Archaeology Ireland 36(4), 36. Read here

Dowd, M. 2022. Folklore focus: Dunmore Cave, Co. Kilkenny. Archaeology Ireland 36(3), 29. Read here

Dowd, M. 2022. Folklore focus: Kilruane graveyard, Co. Tipperary. Archaeology Ireland 36(2), 35. Read here

Dowd, M. 2022. Folklore focus: Newgrange, Co. Meath. Archaeology Ireland 36(1), 35. Read here

Dowd, M. 2021. Folklore focus: Gallarus oratory, Co. Kerry. Archaeology Ireland 35(4), 40. Read here

Dowd, M. 2021. Folklore focus: The Green Fort, Co. Sligo. Archaeology Ireland 35(3), 37. Read here