Human remains, coins and rare pin found in County Roscommon handed over to National Museum
2,000 artefacts were found across the country between July 2023 and July 2024. Pic: iStock
Human remains, a rare 1,400 year old pin and 66 coins found in County Roscommon were donated to the National Museum of Ireland (NMI) over the last twelve months.
They were among more than 2,000 artefacts found across the country between July 2023 and July 2024, and handed over to the National Museum.
The records of these finds made by members of the public and archaeologists were obtained by RTÉ News through a Freedom of Information Act request.
In total, forty-nine sets of human remains were handed into the NMI from fifteen counties over this period.
Other items handed over to the museum over the last year included cannonballs, bullets, bog butter and more than 600 clay pipes found in County Sligo.
Rings, brooches, pins, medals, a badge and musical instruments were also donated to the museum since July 2023, according to the records.
In July 2023, a rare 1,400 year old pin found in Elphin was donated to the National Museum, a story covered by the Roscommon Herald at the time.
It brought a successful conclusion to a mystery that began when the rare artefact was discovered by a local woman in a bog near Elphin about 30 years ago.
Anne Looby discovered the artefact when she was footing turf with her husband John at Rossbeg near the North Roscommon town.
Local historian Sean Neary was involved in organising its handover to the National Museum.
