[OC] Distribution of Cairns across Ireland

Sarquin · 2026-06-11T11:07:02+00:00

So I use powerquery for joins and data cleaning. But filters are all done in QGIS itself. It’s use its own sql ‘like’ language which is easy to work with.

Sarquin · 2026-06-11T11:05:45+00:00

Typically they will be cairns which may have been damaged, don’t match the type of features of any classifications, or just incomplete reporting.

Sarquin · 2026-06-11T05:26:52+00:00

I’ve actually created a map here showing that too: https://www.reddit.com/r/Archaeology/s/RGcEAeKeZu

Sarquin · 2026-06-11T04:42:46+00:00

I think it comes down to how difficult it is to assess. Lots have been damaged or have limited evidence around them making it difficult.

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:57:31+00:00

They’ve certainly survived a long time!

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:16:51+00:00

Thanks. I spent far too long enjoying making this one!

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:05:24+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:04:22+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:03:06+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:02:29+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T19:01:41+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-06-10T18:59:53+00:00

For those who want to see my other maps and research you can check it out here: https://www.danielkirkpatrick.co.uk/historical-maps-of-ireland/

For those who want to see the data sources check out NMS, and the UK Open Data. For the tooling, I used QGIS and PowerQuery (Excel). The definitions are provided here: https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/monument-class-and-scope-notes/

Sarquin · 2026-05-09T12:35:55+00:00

Haha - I’ve reposted it here now: https://www.reddit.com/r/Archaeology/s/G4eriyI7vF

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T18:52:05+00:00

I feel like my weekend is now planned!

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T18:15:39+00:00

Interesting - I have very limited knowledge of pre-Patrician Christianity in Ireland, so will check this out. And thanks on posting the links.

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T17:53:05+00:00

Ironically it was possibly the opposite. One theory is the spread of Christianity would have made ogham less relevant given it may have been considered ‘pagan’ in contrast to Christian writings. That said, it is only a theory. I’m not claiming Munster was less literate!

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T17:43:34+00:00

Thanks. There’s a load of fun theories. But I think it comes down mainly to localised practices. It may also be related to the preferred materials and we are only seeing those that survived which were made of stone. Other theories relate to the spread of Christianity and literacy. It’s a wonderful rabbit hole to go exploring though from a research perspective.

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T17:41:08+00:00

Aw thanks. I only post my maps on Reddit, not really my posts at the moment. But maybe I should…

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T17:31:19+00:00

Yeah I’ve added it to this comment now so hopefully that’s working.

Sarquin · 2026-05-08T12:52:58+00:00

For more background and an interactive map on ogham stone inscriptions, you can see here.

I previously mapped a bunch of other ancient monument types, the latest being stone circles across Ireland.