A routine highway project in Limerick, Ireland, has led to an extraordinary archaeological discovery—an intricately designed medieval buckle dating back over 1,200 years.
Uncovered by archaeologists during excavations in Ardshanbally as part of the Adare bypass construction, the buckle is a striking example of early medieval craftsmanship. Measuring just 12 centimeters long, the ornate object is made of cast brass and features deep blue glass inlay, an embossed animal motif, and abstract decorative flourishes.
From Construction Site to National Treasure
The buckle is one of more than 100 artifacts that will soon be showcased at the National Museum of Ireland in an upcoming exhibition titled “Echoes from the Wave: Ireland and St. Gallen in Early Medieval Europe.” Opening on May 29, the exhibit will explore the rich cultural exchanges between early medieval Ireland and the European continent.
Among the highlights will be manuscripts from the Abbey of St. Gall in present-day Switzerland—some of which will return to Ireland for the first time in over a millennium.
A Testament to Ancient Craftsmanship
Ireland’s Minister for Culture, Patrick O’Donovan, who visited the museum on Thursday to view the buckle and other recent finds, described the artifact as “an exceptional discovery.”
“The buckle is beautifully crafted and dates back over a thousand years. It highlights the extraordinary skill, artistry, and wealth that existed in the Limerick region even in the early medieval period,” said O’Donovan.
Lynn Scarff, Director of the National Museum of Ireland, praised the collaborative efforts behind the discovery, emphasizing how public access to cultural heritage is strengthened through responsible archaeology.
“This early medieval buckle from Ardshanbally is a perfect example of how state agencies and professional archaeologists can work together to preserve and share Ireland’s rich material heritage,” she said.
She also noted the significance of discovering the buckle in a controlled excavation context, allowing for more accurate dating of Ireland’s metallurgical traditions, particularly in the Limerick area.
Uncovering the Layers of History
The medieval buckle that was unearthed.
Photo: Fran Veale/Julien Behal Photography
This find adds to a growing list of remarkable discoveries made during the expansion of the Foynes to Limerick road. Just last year, archaeologists revealed a network of World War II-era defensive structures—roughly 300 in total—that had been built in the early years of Ireland’s wartime state of emergency, declared in 1939 to maintain the country's neutrality.
These layered discoveries—from medieval artifacts to 20th-century fortifications—paint a vivid picture of Ireland’s enduring and evolving relationship with its land, its people, and its past.
