Replicas of 4000-year-old Inishowen clay pots on display this weekend

Replicas of Bronze Age clay pots from Inishowen which date back 4,000 years will be on display this weekend. The free community-based heritage event is a chance for the public to see and learn about the JB collection - a set of replicas of Bronze Age clay pots from Inishowen.

The event, which is presented by local archaeologist Kate Robb and local artist John McCarron, takes place at the Anglers’ Centre, beside the Castle Bridge, Swan Park, Buncrana on Saturday, August 3 from 11am to 4pm. The maker of the replica pots, John Martin from Co Down, will be present.

The pots date back around 4,000 years ago when the inhabitants of Inishowen began to bury their dead in stone-lined graves, with a large flat stone lid called cists. The dead were either cremated or buried in a crouched foetal position and often accompanied by funerary grave goods including ‘food vessels’.

These pots likely had food and drink for the spiritual journey of the deceased. The JB collection is an exact replication of all the intact pots found in Inishowen to date. The collection was created by John Martin,  a leading expert on the methods of their construction and decoration, who worked with Queen’s University Belfast and other heritage agencies. 

Local pot examples include one from the site of the old Lough Swilly Hotel, found during its construction in 1866 and another from Kinnego found during the construction of the Carndonagh extension of the Lough Swilly Railway in 1901. Other locations where pots were found include the environs of Malin, Moville, Muff, Inch Island and Burt.

The longer-term display of the pots is part of the on-going JB Collection project. The NW Woodturner’s Group, based in the Men’s Shed in Ballybofey, has created bespoke pedestals using native wood species for each of the pots. 

Kate Robb said: “This combination of prehistoric and modern craft techniques will be preserved as a legacy connection to our Donegal ancestors for everyone to enjoy.”

John McCarron said: “This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in local archaeology, history or art to engage in a free and fun showcase with tangible links to our past.” 

The event is funded by Creative Ireland, Donegal County Council and Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Donegal Culture and Creativity Scheme 2024.