The Bronze Age

The start of the Bronze Age in Ireland is currently dated to around 2500 BC. The Bronze Age sees the introduction of metal working with the use of copper, bronze and gold. The transition is also identified by the introduction of Beaker pottery to Ireland. It is likely that the transition was gradual as shown by the continued use of wedge tombs into the early Bronze Age. Burial practices change in the Bronze Age though there is some continued use of Neolithic tomb sites for cist burials In the Bronze Age houses tend to circular in plan. Associated with settlement in this period are Fulachta Fiadh the commonest prehisotic archaeological site type found in Ireland. Sometimes referred to as burnt mounds these sites were used for heating water likely to cook food though other theories for their use include clothes dying, leather working and brewing. It is thought that during the Bronze Age, society became more hierarchical and militarised. Apart from weaponry found, the late Bronze Age in Ireland also sees the construction of hillforts in Ireland.

As with the Neolithic recent excavaions during the Celtic tiger era of develeopment have greatly increased the number of known sites from this period.

Around 500 BC sees the transition to the Iron Age begin in Ireland.