EMAP_2012_Report_6_1.pdf (7.3 MB) - The Heritage Council

cross-beam of a light loom from Dublin Castle (Lynch & Manning 2001), and the possibility
that a mortised timber from Lough Faughan might have been part of a loom frame (Collins
1955, 67), loom weights provide the best evidence for this important weaving apparatus.
These stone weights with an hourglass-shaped perforation in the centre have been identified
in the archaeological literature and imply the use of vertical warp-weighted looms in early
medieval Ireland (Edwards 1990, 81). The weights would have held the vertical warp threads
under tension to facilitate the interweaving of the weft threads or yarns. Hodkinson (1987,
49-50) compiled a catalogue of these objects; he noted, however, that with upwards of 20
loom weights required for a single warp-weighted loom (based on comparisons with Anglo-
Saxon England), the scarcity of loom weights in Ireland, and the lack of complete collections
from individual sites, did not seem to indicate the presence of these looms (ibid. 47; see also
Table 8.8). He suggested instead that the early Irish used a different type of loom, and that
the so-called ‘loom weights’ were used for another purpose such as sinkers for nets or lines
(ibid. 48). Heckett (2003, 98-99) has also noted that possible ‘loom weights’ were found at
Fishamble Street and John’s Lane in Dublin, but these were of a shape and material unlike
weights which are generally accepted as forming part of looms in the Anglo-Saxon and
Scandinavian world. She concurred with Hodkinson that it is unlikely that ‘wool fabrics were
woven on the large warp-weighted vertical loom that was in general use in north-western
Europe at least from the migration period (c. A.D. 350-800) until the end of the Viking Age’
(ibid.).
As Table 8.2 shows, most sites have produced only one or two possible loom weights, and no
complete sets of weights are known. The only possible exception is Rinnaraw, where ten
perforated stones might be loom weights (Comber 2006, 102). However, there are issues
over the correct identification of loom weights; in many cases such perforated stones might
also serve as net sinkers or thatch weights (see e.g. Collins 1955, 69; FitzGerald 2012, 558),
while at Garranes, one of the weights was recorded by the excavator as a mace head as it
was ‘too well-finished’ to be a loom weight (Ó Ríordáin 1942, 111, 114). O’Brien (2010, 23)
has also noted the possibility that some of the large perforated discs classified as loom
weights might be functional spindle whorls. Notwithstanding such debates/uncertainties, we
can assume that cloth was woven on at least some settlement sites.
Name Site type Quantity Reference
Aghadegnan, Co. Longford Univallate 1 Carroll 1993
Ballinderry II, Co. Offaly Crannog 2 Hencken 1942, 65
Ballyaghagan, Co. Antrim Univallate 1 Proudfoot 1958, 30
Ballynakelly/Rathcreedan, Co. Non-circular 1 McCarthy 2007
Dublin
Baronstown, Co. Meath Non-circular 1 Linnane & Kinsella 2009, 8
Blackchurch, Co. Kildare Medieval industrial 1 (lignite) Duffy 2003
Castlefarm, Co. Meath
Cemetery/
1 O’Connell & Clark 2009, 72
settlement
Castlegar, Co. Mayo Univallate 1 Zajac & Scully 2004, 27
Collierstown 1, Co. Meath Cemetery/
1 Stirland 2009
settlement
Cush, Co. Limerick Non-circular 2 Ó Ríordáin 1939/40, 158
Dowdstown 2, Co. Meath Non-circular 2 Cagney et al 2009, 6
Garranes, Co. Cork multivallate 3 Ó Ríordáin 1942, 111, 114
Gragan West, Co. Clare Raised 1 Cotter 1988
Johnstown 1, Co Meath
Cemetery/
2 or more Clarke & Carlin 2008
settlement
Knowth, Co. Meath raised 2 FitzGerald 2012, 558
Lagore, Co. Meath crannog 3 (possible) Hencken 1950, 177
Leacanabuaile, Co. Kerry Cashel 1 Ó Ríordáin & Foy 1941, 93
Leggetsrath West, Co. Kilkenny Multivallate 1 Lennon 2006, 49
Lough Faughan, Co. Down Crannog 2 Collins 1955, 69
Marshes Upper, Co. Louth Non-circular 1 (flint nodule) Gowen 1992
Millockstown, Co. Louth Multivallate 1 Manning 1986, 160
Mullagharlin/Haggardstown, Co. Non-circular 1 McLoughlin 1999
Louth
Mullingar, Co. Westmeath Rural industrial 1 Reed 2000
Rinnaraw, Co. Donegal other 1 (unfinished); 10 Comber 2006, 102
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