Copper and Bronze Ages of Ireland

The arrival of metallurgy in Ireland is closely associated with the Bell Beaker People, named after their distinctive pottery shaped like inverted bells. This marked a significant departure from the finely crafted, round-bottomed Neolithic pottery. The Beaker culture is linked with the commencement of copper mining, evident at sites like Ross Island, which began around 2400 BCE.

There is some debate among scholars about when Celtic language speakers first arrived in Ireland. Some associate this with the Beaker People of the Bronze Age, while others argue that the Celts arrived later, at the start of the Iron Age.

The transition from the Copper Age (Chalcolithic) to the Bronze Age occurred around 2000 BCE when copper was alloyed with tin to produce true bronze. This period saw the production of "Ballybeg-type" flat axes and other metalwork. Copper was predominantly mined in southwest Ireland, particularly at sites like Ross Island and Mount Gabriel in County Cork. Tin, necessary for making bronze, was imported from Cornwall.

The Bronze Age saw the manufacture of various tools and weapons, including swords, axes, daggers, hatchets, halberds, awls, drinking utensils, and horn-shaped trumpets. Irish craftsmen were renowned for their horn-shaped trumpets, made using the lost wax process. Additionally, Ireland's rich deposits of native gold led to the creation of numerous gold ornaments, with Irish gold items found as far away as Germany and Scandinavia.

Another significant development during this period was the construction of stone circles, particularly in Ulster and Munster. Crannogs, or timber homes built in shallow lakes for security, also emerged during the Bronze Age. These structures often had narrow walkways to the shore and were used over long periods, even into medieval times.

The Dowris Hoard, containing over 200 items mostly in bronze, highlights the end of the Bronze Age in Ireland (around 900-600 BCE). This hoard included bronze rattles, horns, weapons, and vessels, indicating a culture where elite feasting and ceremonial activities were important. The Dunaverney flesh-hook, from slightly earlier (1050-900 BCE), suggests continental European influences.

During the Bronze Age, Ireland's climate deteriorated, leading to extensive deforestation. The population at the end of this period was probably between 100,000 and 200,000, similar to the height of the Neolithic. The Irish Bronze Age continued until around 500 BCE, later than in continental Europe and Britain.