A History of Ireland in 100 Objects
Every Saturday, in the Weekend Review of the Irish Times, Fintan O’Toole takes a look at A History of Ireland in 100 objects. Each object opens a window on to an important moment in Irish history.
Most of the objects featured are exhibited across the National Museum of Ireland but others will come from a variety of other institutions.
O’Toole adopts three simple rules when selecting objects:
‘An “object” is defined as a single man-made entity, a definition that excludes buildings. The objects are generally presented chronologically. And unless there is an overwhelming reason to the contrary, the objects themselves are accessible to readers in public institutions or spaces’.
The series begins with a look at a Mesolithic Fish Trap, ca. 5000BC which can be currently seen at the National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology and continues through to objects of the 20th century.
The illustrated articles feature interviews with museum curators and other experts.
February 12th: Mesolithic fish trap, circa 5000 BC 
February 19th: Ceremonial Axe, 3600 BC
February 26th: Neolithic bowl, c 3500 BC
March 5th: Flint macehead, 3300-2800 BC
March 12th: Neolithic handbag, 3800-2500 BC
March 19th: Basket earrings, Amesbury, England, circa 2300 BC
March 26th: Pair of gold discs, 2200-2000 BC
April 2nd: Coggalbeg gold hoard, 2300-2000 BC
April 9th: Bronze Age dugout canoe, circa 2200 BC
April 16th: Bronze Age funerary pots, 1900-1300 BC
April 23rd: Tara torcs, c 1200 BC
April 30th: Mooghaun hoard, circa 800 BC
May 7th: Gleninsheen gold gorget, circa 800-700 BC
May 14th: Castlederg bronze cauldron, 700-600 BC
May 21st: Iron spearhead, 800-675 BC
May 28th: Broighter boat, circa 100 BC
June 4th: Amulet, Old Croghan Man, 362-175 BC
June 11th: Loughnashade trumpet c.100 BC
June 18th: Keshcarrigan Bowl, early first century AD
June 25th: Corleck Head , first or second century AD
July 2nd: Petrie Crown, second century AD
July 9th: Ballinderry brooch, circa 600 AD
July 16th: Cunorix Stone, Wroxeter, England, 460-475 AD
July 23rd: St Patrick's Confession, circa 460-490 AD
July 30th: Mullamast Stone, 500 - 600 AD
August 6th: St Patrick's Bell Shrine, c.500 AD
13th August – Springmount tablets
20th August – Donore Handle
27th August – Book of Kells
3rd September - Tara Brooch
10th September - Ardagh Chalice
17th September – Derrynaflan Paten
24th September – Moylough Belt shrine
8th October – Tall Cross, Monasterboice
22nd October- Ballinderry Sword
29th October – Decorated lead weights
5th November – Roscrea Brooch
19th November - Silver Cone, Dunmore Caves
26th Nov - Carved Crook
3rd Dec – Breac Maodhóg
10th Dec – Clonmacnoise Crozier
17th December – Cross of Cong
7th January - Figure of a horseman
14th January - The Domhnach Airgid
28th January - Two coins, 1284 and 1460
4th February - Processional cross