DOI Artikel:
Brady, Niall D. K.: A late ploughshare type from Ireland
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49002#0241
A LATE PLOUGHSHARE TYPE
FROM IRELAND
By
Niall D. K. Brady
Introduction
While researching the early development o£
the plough in Ireland, the writer has come
across nine shares of a type previously dated
to the Early Historic period (Duignan 136)
(fig. 1). It is now felt that this series belongs
to a more modern era and that the opportu-
nity should be taken to reassess it as a speci-
fic type and present a detailed inventory of
the known pieces. Due perhaps to the docu-
mentary nature of plough research in Ireland
(O’Loan; Lucas 1972-1975; Watson), these
shares have only once before been investiga-
ted. Duignan (136-138), in his pioneering
paper on early Irish agriculture, had two ex-
amples to write about: one from Lagore,
Co. Meath; the other from Upper Bawnis-
hal, Co. Cork (see fig. 3 No. 6 and 7). From
the former he dated the series to the Early
Historic period and thought they belonged
to a “heavy plough” and were not suited to
undercut and invert the sod. His basic thesis
remains valid, but the dating framework can
be radically altered and a more specific as-
sessment of the plough type which used
them can be made.
Form
Figs. 2-4 (see Inventory). The shares are
symmetrical in form and can be grouped to-
gether on the basis of their long length,
pointed shape and complex construction.
They range in length between 268 mm and
420 mm, have an average width of 150 mm
and weight of 4150 g. They have a spear-
shaped form with the snout terminating in a
narrow, sharp, finger-like point. In all but
No. 8, a set of vertically-set flanges, or
wings, flank the sides from point to socket
mouth. These enhance the massiveness of
form, suggesting the “...veritable snout of a
plough” (Duignan 136). The shares are of
composite construction, made up from a
number of different pieces of beaten iron. A
basic pattern is followed in all but No. 8. A
solid core forms the heart of the snout,
around which is forged a sheet of iron ex-
tending forwards to form a finger-like point,
and backwards to shape the walls and roof of
the socket. Around the point and running
the length of the share are then forged the
pair of flanking iron wings. These may either
hug the sides for the entire length (Nos. 2
and 6), or only go around the snout portion,
lying free at the mouth (Nos. 3-5, 7 and 9).
In five cases (Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9), separate
iron rings are fitted through apertures in the
socket roof, rising up to 68 mm from the
dorsal surface and orientated lengthwise
along the share. Their bases are flattened
against the ventral surfaces of the roofs. In
Nos. 1, 2 and 4 the snouts point downwards,
the tip resting at a lower level than the base
of the socket. The original construction of
No. 8 is simpler; the snout and socket are
forged as one. No side wings occur.
Visual inspection alone inhibits an under-
standing of the methods of manufacturing
the individual sheets of iron. However, con-
FROM IRELAND
By
Niall D. K. Brady
Introduction
While researching the early development o£
the plough in Ireland, the writer has come
across nine shares of a type previously dated
to the Early Historic period (Duignan 136)
(fig. 1). It is now felt that this series belongs
to a more modern era and that the opportu-
nity should be taken to reassess it as a speci-
fic type and present a detailed inventory of
the known pieces. Due perhaps to the docu-
mentary nature of plough research in Ireland
(O’Loan; Lucas 1972-1975; Watson), these
shares have only once before been investiga-
ted. Duignan (136-138), in his pioneering
paper on early Irish agriculture, had two ex-
amples to write about: one from Lagore,
Co. Meath; the other from Upper Bawnis-
hal, Co. Cork (see fig. 3 No. 6 and 7). From
the former he dated the series to the Early
Historic period and thought they belonged
to a “heavy plough” and were not suited to
undercut and invert the sod. His basic thesis
remains valid, but the dating framework can
be radically altered and a more specific as-
sessment of the plough type which used
them can be made.
Form
Figs. 2-4 (see Inventory). The shares are
symmetrical in form and can be grouped to-
gether on the basis of their long length,
pointed shape and complex construction.
They range in length between 268 mm and
420 mm, have an average width of 150 mm
and weight of 4150 g. They have a spear-
shaped form with the snout terminating in a
narrow, sharp, finger-like point. In all but
No. 8, a set of vertically-set flanges, or
wings, flank the sides from point to socket
mouth. These enhance the massiveness of
form, suggesting the “...veritable snout of a
plough” (Duignan 136). The shares are of
composite construction, made up from a
number of different pieces of beaten iron. A
basic pattern is followed in all but No. 8. A
solid core forms the heart of the snout,
around which is forged a sheet of iron ex-
tending forwards to form a finger-like point,
and backwards to shape the walls and roof of
the socket. Around the point and running
the length of the share are then forged the
pair of flanking iron wings. These may either
hug the sides for the entire length (Nos. 2
and 6), or only go around the snout portion,
lying free at the mouth (Nos. 3-5, 7 and 9).
In five cases (Nos. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 9), separate
iron rings are fitted through apertures in the
socket roof, rising up to 68 mm from the
dorsal surface and orientated lengthwise
along the share. Their bases are flattened
against the ventral surfaces of the roofs. In
Nos. 1, 2 and 4 the snouts point downwards,
the tip resting at a lower level than the base
of the socket. The original construction of
No. 8 is simpler; the snout and socket are
forged as one. No side wings occur.
Visual inspection alone inhibits an under-
standing of the methods of manufacturing
the individual sheets of iron. However, con-