Spring 2024, Ireland
A sketch of a nearby barrow. There is a children’s graveyard associated with it (the small stones you see); since stillborn or unbaptized children could not be buried on hallowed ground, in a proper cemetery, people in Ireland in 18-19 centuries buried their stillborn and unbaptized babies themselves. Such improvised unofficial graveyards were normally located in church ruins, on ring forts or on barrows, that is, in spaces that were vernacularly considered sacred / liminal.
This one has a very peaceful vibe in life. I like to think that whoever lies there looks after these children ‘entrusted’ to them.
I often feel overwhelmed by Late Medieval - Early Modern finds in Irish and Scandinavian museums, much more so than by known human sacrifices, etc. All those knitted caps, mittens, warm cloaks - just regular garments of some person who was walking somewhere from somewhere and reasonably hoped to get there. Just can't shake the thought of some part of them still out there; still walking.
I remembered I have a Bluesky profile, and I am honestly going to upload stuff there! So please follow if you'd like to interact (and so that I could follow you back) if you're on there
Aengus was with the attendants arranging and giving orders, and every kind of drink and delicacy was given out correctly so that the company were cheerful and gay.
Altram Tige Dá Medar
Another current WIP - The Forest Nobles 🌿🌀
Another WIP inspired by @sorrows-hand’s talk on women’s rights and divorce in Medieval Ireland at 2024 IONA conference
I needed to do a presentation about why studying memory politics is important, and this escalated quickly.
Dark Imbolc 2 Galway City, 2024
I draw things ancient, magical and dead.Visual artist and photographer (he/him) based in Ireland.Art tagPhotography tagReblogs
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