INTRODUCTION

The settlement of Ireland began some 10,000 years ago during the mesolithic period. Since that time humans have increasingly made their mark on the Irish landscape, most notably with their dwellings and associated structures. The patterns of settlement we can discern from the past provide us with vital clues as to the social structure and land use at given periods, fleshing out what we can learn from historical texts, archaeological finds and so on. The structures themselves are also of great interest, revealing much about the priorities of their builders - damp, shelter, access to water or to good pasture - and about the relative wealth of the occupants. Modern settlements, too, can reveal much. The patterns of modern town street layouts often still twist and bend along lines defined long in the past, circumscribing now lost monastery perimiters or suggesting the location of town walls. Truly modern settlements such as suburban housing estates and blocks of flats reveal as much about the society that created them as older settlements do. The multi-county sprawl of greater Dublin, the phenomenal booming suburbia around Galway city, or the scattering of rural dwellings into Connemara reflect the interests and concerns of the people who created them, and those who live in them.

THE 'IRISH SETTLEMENT STUDIES' DISCUSSION GROUP

The 'Irish Settlement Studies' discussion group was founded in October 2000. Discussion in thr past has tended to centre on the medieval and prehistoric periods, but these are by no means the limits of this group's remit. The topics open to group members are well expressed in the above paragraph. Current membership stands at 115.

To join the discussion group, simply click the link below to create an auto-addressed email, and press 'Send'. You will shortly receive via email a confirmation request to which you must reply. Within minutes your membership will be logged and you can begin interacting with other group members online. New members are encouraged to send an initial message to the group introducing themselves, and mentioning their areas of interest in settlement in Ireland.

• Click here to subscribe to 'Irish Settlement Studies'

Members and non-members alike can freely access the group's archives. These help give a feel for the type of topics discussed for those considering subscribing, and help new members catch up on past debates. To view or search the archives, just click on the link below.

• Click here to view or search the 'Irish Settlement Studies' archives

RELATED DISCUSSION GROUP HOMEPAGES

• Irish Geography: all aspects of the study of geography in Ireland
  
  
• Irish Place Name Studies: the history, meaning and mapping of place names in Ireland
  
  
• Irish Archaeology: the archaeology of Ireland of all periods
  
  
• Stone Age Ireland: the archaeology of the stone age period in Ireland (c.8000 - 2300BC)
  
  
• Bronze Age Ireland: the archaeology of the bronze age period in Ireland (c.2300 - 500BC)
  
  
• Iron Age Ireland: the archaeology of the iron age period in Ireland (c.500BC - 400AD)
  
  
• Early Medieval Ireland: the archaeology and history of medieval Ireland (c.400 - 1200AD)
  
  
• Late Gaelic Ireland: the history and archaeology of late medieval and pre-modern Ireland (c.1000 - 1700AD)
  
  
• Early Modern Ireland: the history and archaeology of early modern Ireland (c.1600 - 1900AD)
  
  
• Irish Economic History: the history - and prehistory - of Ireland's economy
  
  
• Irish Social History: the history - and prehistory - of Ireland's society

LINKS

DOCUMENTS & DATABASES

Page last updated 18 September 2001