28 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



in length. The head (see annexed figure) is quite round, gradually ta- 

 pering to a point, and is about one-half the whole length, or one and a 



half inches. To the head is joined a square tongue, or tang, nearly as 

 long as the head itself, and which was evidently intended to be inserted 

 into a wooden shaft. Prom its general appearance, and judging from 

 the holes which are pitted in its surface, there can be no doubt of its 

 antiquity. When Mr. Dillon first placed it in my hands I expected to 

 find no difficulty in matching it in the Museum of the Academy, so 

 rich in various bronze implements. In this, however, I was disap- 

 pointed, for there is nothing in our collection at all similar to it, nor 

 have I succeeded in finding any figure of a bronze instrument of the 

 same shape and construction ; and I may add that Mr. Franks, of the 

 British Museum, tells me that he has never seen any bronze implement 

 like the present. 



As an arrow-head it is heavier than any which I have seen as- 

 cribed to the bronze period, and quite different in shape. It is also 

 to be remembered that most of the bronze arrow-heads are furnished 

 with a socket to receive the shaft instead of a tongue to be inserted 

 into the wood ; they are also much broader, with the head flattened 

 at the sides into a sharp edge ; there is, therefore, considerable diffi- 

 culty in looking upon the object under consideration as an arrow-head ; 

 though, from its weight and construction, it seems- very well suited to 

 serve as the head of an arrow, or javelin, to be used in warfare. Cer- 

 tainly, it could not have been the head of a cross-bow bolt, for these 

 were not invented until many centuries later. It is also much too small 

 for the head of a spear to be used in thrusting, and quite different from 

 the bronze spear-heads which are very well known. 



The square tongue seems to have been intended both to fix it more 

 firmly and to prevent it rotating in its shaft ; this would have been 

 essential if it was used as a tool for boring ; and I may here observe 

 that the only bronze implements in the Academy's collection which 

 have square tongues are described in its Catalogue as tools or chisels. 



It may also have served as a point inserted in any wooden prop or 

 staff for the purpose of fixing it in the ground, or possibly, as a goad 

 for cattle ; but I do not think it is peculiarly well- suited for this latter 

 purpose ; and if this form of construction was employed for cattle-goads, 

 why not for arrows or javelins also ? 



On the whole, the probabilities seem to be decidedly in favour of 

 the missile character of our present subject ; but I do not pretend to 

 decide the question. My chief object in this notice is to invite the 

 opinion of those who are more experienced than myself in the study of 

 Irish antiquities. 



