Robert M Chapple, Archaeologist

I've been busy ... busy being happy. Busy being happy and not writing ... I've been making gin [ here ] I've been making bowls [ here ] I've even got some bees [ here ] but most of all, I've been watching movies [ here ] ... so many movies! However, it's time to start releasing some of the movies that I've made of archaeological sites around the countryside. With that in mind, here's a meditative wander through Portora Castle, Co. Fermanagh. Portora is a Plantation Period castle and was built around 1612. I've written a little about it before & published some 3D photos, as well as recounted my part in the excavation of the site back in 1997 [ here ]. For now, enjoy this soothing, immersive 360 degree video  tour around this peaceful castle on the shores of Lough Erne ... You can view this 360-degree video on an ordinary browser or on the dedicated YouTube app for your smartphone. However, for best results we recommend the more immers...

< 3D Images < Table of Contents So far on this trip I’ve gone full prehistoric ( Knockmany ), followed it up with an excursion into the Early Christian and Medieval ( Errigal Keerogue ), but now it was time for a trip into the post-Medieval at Portora Castle. Essentially, I’ve been getting younger as I’ve traveled west. The castle is situated on the banks of the Erne and once controlled access between Upper and Lower Lough Erne. The standing structure was, essentially, four circular corner towers, linked by curtain walling, with a three-story house (two floors with attics) at the west end. Today, one of the corner towers is missing, having been eaten away by the river and the house only survives as a foundation line. The lands here were acquired by Sir William Coles in October 1612 and it is thought that the castle was constructed soon after. At some time before 1621 the site was the residence of a Preacher called Mr Stack. The site was leased or sold on to Bisho...

The British Museum holds 59 items identified as coming from Co Roscommon. The majority of these (46) are assigned to the Early Medieval period, followed by the Bronze Age (4) and Early Medieval (3). The most common object type represented are pins (24), followed by needles, ringed pins and spear-heads (3 each). The main material types represented are Metal (39) and bone (12), though items of Stone, Wood, Antler, Leather, and Tooth are also recorded. < Table of Contents Neolithic/Bronze Age: Stone item Roscommon macehead .9246 Stone macehead partly perforated on both sides, round shape and rounded edges, smooth surface, brown in colour. http://britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1371163&partId=1 Bronze Age: Metal items Metal Roscommon axe 18621209.500 Copper alloy short-flanged axe; cast. http://britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=807203&p...