Different strokes: changing identities and connectivity between Iron Age Ireland and Northern Britain

The rich decoration of Irish and British Iron Age metalwork once conveyed complex symbolic meanings, though its language has long since been lost. Ornamentation remains a vital avenue for interpreting the identities of both makers and users. While most Irish Iron Age artefacts adhere to the insular La Tène-derived style, a small yet significant group of objects diverges markedly in decorative character. These items, distributed across several centuries, suggest the persistence of an alternative, yet possibly connected, tradition. This paper proposes that this distinct style may reflect the material culture of a group who perceived themselves as culturally separate. Their divergent aesthetic choices may signal a long-lived identity expressed through decoration and may have influenced the later development of Pictish art in northern Britain. Through close analysis of these underexplored objects, this study contributes to broader discussions of cultural plurality, identity construction and artistic exchange in Iron Age Ireland, Britain and Europe and the role of decorative traditions in shaping and reflecting social difference.<br/><br/>