In the Iliad, Homer described Ireland as "a land of fog and gloom.. beyond it the Sea of Death, where Hell begins." #Ireland #Homer

Ireland was well-connected to the cultures of the ancient world: Tin was imported from Britain, amber from the Baltic, wax from the Pyrenees.

Ancient Ireland's most important export was hide/leather, used by the Roman army. Thus the highest grade of freeman was a cattleman (boaire)

The Romans accessed all parts of Ireland via special trading sites known as Emporia. Roman coins, pottery, jewelry were found at #Newgrange.

A small copper figure of Lares, found in the Boyne, Co Meath. The deity was believed to protect the inhabitants of the Roman household. #Meath

Ptolemy's map of ancient #Ireland and her peoples. It was made in 150AD using the geographical knowledge of Mediterranean traders.

The Greek geographer and explorer, Pytheas, passed through what is now Belfast on his famous expedition to Thule in the far north. #Belfast

Hook Lighthouse in Co. Wexford, #Ireland - The oldest operational lighthouse in the world, its tower dates from the 12th century.

Deireadh Fómhair (October) is the "End of Harvest" in Ireland. In the Gaelic calendar the new year begins on the 1st of Samhain (November).

Oct 31: Celtic holiday of Samhain, or "summer's end", is celebrated; a night where the dead are unleashed from the Otherworld to roam ours.

Samhain is a festival of both life & death: One's ancestors are honoured around communal fires, and the incoming year is celebrated joyfully.

A #poem by medieval monk Colman the Irishman - Written for his departing friend; who, homesick, is bound for #Ireland.

'The Window Seat', 1901 by Dublin artist William Orpen. The painting depicts his wife Grace on their honeymoon in Bantry, Co Cork.

'The Chess Players' - William Orpen (1878-1931).

Grace reading at Howth Bay, by William Orpen, 1902. #Howth

The Sídhe or 'hollow hills' found in Ireland are synonymous with the #Celtic Otherworld. The space inside is vast & ruled by unique deities.

The inhabitants of the Sídhe look like humans but are different. They are superior: immortal, more beautiful & possess supernatural powers.