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Cushalogurt

Site/Artefact Cushalogurt Type Viking Hoard Site Number N/A National Grid Reference 097000 East 289850 North Map ( 1:50000) Ordnance Survey Ireland, Discovery Series, 31 List of Sites and Artefacts Click Here Interactive Map Click Here

Description
The earliest recorded attacks on the coastline of Ireland took place in 795 AD when Inishbofin was raided by Vikings (Bradley, 1995). In 812 AD the Annals of the Four Masters records the slaughter of a Viking raiding party by the local tribe of the Umhall in Clew Bay. The following year the annals tell us that the Vikings reaped a bloody revenge on the men of the Umhall, killing the local king, Coscrach. These early invasions were hit and run affairs but by 841 AD, the Vikings had established more lasting settlement. On the eastern shores of Clew Bay at Cushalogurt a Viking silver hoard was discovered. It included 25 armrings and fragments, 2 ingots, 1 fragment and 1 gold ingot (Sheehan, 1998). Perhaps they represent trade between the locals and the immigrants (Corlett, 2000). The Vikings had taught the Irish the elements of naval architecture and indeed the necessity of trade and markets (Harbison et al, 1978). Of special interest to the Vikings was the exploitation of non-agrarian resources and prized among these was soapstone, a resource that is found on the Island of Inishbofin. Placenames can indicate Viking association and indeed the name 'Cushalogurt' where the silver hoard was found may be a derivative of longphort, a Viking defended ship encampment (Gibbons & Kelly, 2003, Kelly, 1998)

Excavation Details
Not Available

Access/Ownership
National Museum of Ireland

References

• Corlett, C. 2001, Antiquities of West Mayo, Wordwell, Wicklow, p.56
• Bradley, J. 1995, Scandinavian rural settlement in Ireland, Archaeology Ireland, Vol.9 No.3 issue No.33, Dublin, Pp. 10-12
• Gibbons, E.K. Kelly, E.P. 2003, A Viking Age farmstead in Connemara, Archaeology Ireland, Vol. 17, No.1, Issue No.63, Dublin, Pp.31-2
• Harbison, P. Potterton, H. Sheehy, J. 1978, Irish Art and Architecture: From Prehistory to the Present, London, p.39
• Sheehan, J. 1998, Early Viking Age Silver Hoards from Ireland, in Ireland and Scandinavia in the Early Viking Age, (eds) Clarke, H.B. Ní Mhaonaigh, M. Ó Floinn,R. Dublin, Pp.166-202  

Check out the following sections of the website for related information:

• Vikings in Ireland
• Viking Age, Norway
• Scandinavian Raiders and Settlers

Mayo Sites and Artefacts

1. Mayo Abbey 2. Balla 3. Ballintubber Abbey 4. Tóchar Phadraig 5. Aghagower 6. Lankhill 7. Boheh 8. Croagh Patrick Summit 9. Carrownalurgan 10. Ardoley 11. Kiladangan 12. Glaspatrick 13. Shrawee 14. Clare Island - Strake 15. Clare Island - Lecarrow 16. Caher Island 17. Durless

18. Carrowmore 19. Knappaghmanagh 20. Cushalogurt 21. Carrowkeel Ecclesiastical Remains 22. Thornhill 23. Carrowkeel Murrisk 24. Carrowkeel Cahernaran 25. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-1 26. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-2 27. Carrowmacloughlin Cairn-3 28. Carrowmacloughlin/ Glencally/ Teevenacroaghy 29. Carrowmacloughlin Sweathouses 30. Glaspatrick Holy Well

31. Glaspatrick Rath-1 32. Glaspatrick Early Ecclesiastical Remains 33. Glaspatrick Ringfort 34. Glaspatrick Rath-2 35. Glaspatrick Ecclesiatical Remains 36. Glaspatrick Altar 38. Glaspatrick Graveyard 39. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-1 40. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-2 41. Murrisk Demesne Standing Stone-3 42. Teevenacroaghy

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