Neolithic Ireland

Around 4500 BCE, the Neolithic period began in Ireland with the introduction of a 'package' that included cereal cultivars, domesticated animals like sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as pottery, housing, and stone monuments. This package was similar to those found in Scotland and other parts of Europe, signifying the arrival of farming and settled communities.

The Neolithic transition in Ireland was marked by significant developments in agriculture and animal husbandry. Sheep, goats, and cattle, along with cereal crops such as wheat and barley, were imported from southwestern continental Europe. This introduction led to a significant population increase, as evidenced by various archaeological finds.

One of the earliest clear proofs of farming in Ireland comes from Ferriter's Cove on the Dingle Peninsula, where a flint knife, cattle bones, and a sheep's tooth dated to around 4350 BCE were discovered. This indicates that farming practices were established on the island by this time.

The Céide Fields in County Mayo provide further evidence of Neolithic farming. This extensive field system, considered one of the oldest known in the world, consists of small fields separated by dry-stone walls. These fields were actively farmed between 3500 and 3000 BCE, with wheat and barley as the principal crops.

Neolithic pottery also appeared around this time, with styles similar to those found in northern Great Britain. In Ulster and Limerick, wide-mouthed, round-bottomed bowls typical of this period have been excavated, indicating a shared cultural influence across the region.

Despite these advancements, some regions of Ireland exhibited patterns of pastoralism, suggesting a division of labor where pastoral activities sometimes dominated agrarian ones. By the height of the Neolithic, Ireland's population was likely between 100,000 and 200,000. However, around 2500 BCE, an economic collapse occurred, leading to a temporary decline in population.