Remnants of Our Past: The STORIES of our ANCESTORS hidden in the IRISH LANDSCAPE

Explores Ireland’s forgotten sites, revealing the stories, customs, and lives of its ancestors.

We walk past remnants of our past every day without noticing. Our ancestors left echoes of themselves all around us, if we only know where to look and how to interpret the signs. These remnants lie all over Ireland, telling us of the lives they once touched. Understanding their story roots our knowledge in the foundations of our society and the customs that have shaped the Irish people over centuries.

Remnants of Our Past tells the story of Irish people, their memories preserved in these forgotten places. What is now a cold hearth in a collapsing fireplace was once the warm centre where the family gathered and the fire was never allowed to go out. The tranquil parks in our villages were once bustling fair greens, echoing with the bellowing of livestock and the howls of faction fighters.

Deirdre O’Neill created the Remnants of Our Past project, using social media to give a voice to our past ancestors, sharing their stories in Irish heritage, history, arts and crafts. She is married with three children, and this is her first book.