Kiltubbrid Shield

The Kiltubbrid shield is a remarkably well-preserved example of an ancient Irish wooden shield. It was discovered in 1863, buried 3 metres (9.8 ft) deep in a turf bog, at Kiltubbrid townland and just north of Lough Scur.[3] The shield is a perfect specimen, oval in shape, with a perfect central boss 7.6 centimetres (3.0 in) high, and seven slightly raised concentric circles (ribs), plain on the reverse, with a handle, the whole carved out of one piece of wood.[4][5] The original measurements were 66 centimetres (26.0 in) in height by 53 centimetres (20.9 in) in width, with a thickness of 1.25 centimetres (0.5 in). Unlike ancient classic shields, through which the forearm was passed, the Irish wooden shield, grasped by the cross-piece underneath the umbo (boss), could be projected to full arm's length during battle.[4] The wood was probably alder.[1][4]

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The shields was probably covered with leather, painted and decorated.[1][4] The ribs show an indentation on one side, presenting a remarkable interruption in the symmetry of the ornament. Shrinkage may have caused the indentation.[4] MacAllister wondered if the indentation is a survival of the observation-notch which adorned shield edges in medieval time, or if this interruption of circular ornament reflected a widespread taboo and superstition against closed rings which prevailed at the time.[6]

Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh stated in Ogygia (1685) that the Irish name for alder was Fearn, because "shields are made of it". The Irish word "sciath", i.e. shield, is more recently applied to a shallow wicker basket, of oval shape — sometimes called a skib — used for straining potatoes, and which closely resembles in size and form of the Kiltubbrid wooden shield.[3][7]

Irish Battle Scene Swords, Spears, and Shields

The toughness and density of the alder would, in itself, be a firm defence against the thrusts of swords, if not spears,[1] but half-inch thick wooden shields would be useless against Roman javelins.[5]

An illustration sculptured on a stone cross at Kells, County Meath evidently depicts a conflict between different tribes or cultures; one armed with long-handled spears and circular bossed-shields, the opposing warrior shields have no boss, and are armed with short swords, of a kind often found on crannogs and first adopted with the introduction of iron as a primary material for weapons of warfare.[8]

• Keshcarrigan Bowl