Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/115

Rh large a portion of the surface was covered by waters, which, as it has been observed, served to secure the insulated dwelling-places of the chieftains of Monaghan from hostile surprise.

The numerous objects formed of bronze, which have been found in Ireland, display remarkable skill in the art of casting and working that metal. The beautiful specimen, of which a representation is here given, was found at a fort in the Chase at Lough Fea; it is a bridle, the bit being formed of iron, in which respect it is unique; several bridles of bronze, with elegantly foliated ornaments of similar design, have been found in Ireland, but in no other instance in a perfect state, with the bit of iron.

Another curious specimen of skill in the working of metals was discovered in the barony of Farney, in the year 1834. It is a vessel in the form of a caldron, made of six plates of hammered bronze, riveted together with pins of the same metal, the heads of which are shaped into points, and serve to ornament the exterior surface of the vessel. Its dimensions are 60 inches in circumference, at the widest part, by 11 inches in height. The culinary vessels found in Ireland have usually three feet, being intended for use on an open hearth; the caldron here represented was obviously adapted only for suspension over the fire. It was found twelve feet below the surface of a bog. (See woodcut in the next page.)

Amongst the ancient customs of the Irish, illustrated by Mr. Shirley's careful researches, the remarkable usage observed at the election of a chief-