Scientists used to work on the assumption that Ireland was completely frozen over during the Ice Age, and therefore uninhabitable, until around 10,000 years ago. This assumption has been well and truly shattered by recent evidence. This and other sources of evidence supports the idea that Ireland was the legendary land of Atlantis.
Ireland in the Ice Age
The Pleistocene Ice Age lasted for two and a half million years and ended around 11,600 years ago. The latest research shows that even at the peak of the Ice Age, ice sheets did not completely cover Ireland. This would explain the lack of drumlins (egg-shaped ridges formed by glacial activity) across the center of the island.
Another study from Norway proves conclusively that the warm, Atlantic Gulf Stream did not stop during the Ice Age as previously thought. This indicates that Ireland’s Ice Age wasn’t as severe as previous estimates, and evidence has been stacking up to support the claim that Ireland was inhabited by humans much earlier than currently acknowledged.
A 12,500-year-old bear bone that was cut with a human tool and found in a County Clare cave proves there were humans living in Ireland during the old Stone Age period.
In three separate places in Ireland flint stone tools have been found dating back 200,000 to 400,000 years. One find was in Mell, County Louth (10 km from Newgrange), one in Ballyculle, County Down, and one on the remote Aran Islands off the County Galway coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
Examples of a Neolithic axe and flint tools. Co. Down, Ireland. (Notafly/ CC BY SA 3.0 )
The Greek Connection
Greek history contains a detailed record of how Pythagoras, who predated Plato by almost a century, learned from an Irish druid called Abaris, who could speak fluent Greek as if he had spoken it all his life. The ancient Irish annals confirm that an Irish druid called Abhras visited Greece, among other places, on his travels. The Greeks described Abaris as a healer and prophet from the mystical island of Hyperborea, which, just like Atlantis, was another name for Ireland.
Hercules and Perseus, two of the most important characters in Greek mythology, were both said to have visited Hyperborea, which was described as being a fertile island to the north of Gaul (France) with oak trees, a circular temple (Newgrange) and priests with harps. According to the Greeks, Hyperborea was governed by the boreades. In Irish, boreadach means noble chieftain. Clearly, Ireland is the Greek Hyperborea.
The oracle of Delphi - the most sacred site in ancient Greece - was founded by three prophets from the sacred island of Hyperborea who took up residence there. The Greeks called these prophets Pagasis, Agyeus, and Olen which is a corruption of the three ranks of Irish Druids - Bag-ois, Agh-is, and Ollam.
The Greek Pherenicus describes the Hyperboreans ‘as being of the ancient blood of the titans’.
The word Atlantis literally means ‘The Island of Atlas’. The titan Atlas was a key figure in Greek mythology and is depicted as being the bearer of the heavens. According to early Greek mythology, Atlas lived on the sacred island of Hyperborea, which was also the location of the Garden of Hesperides, a sacred garden with a tree bearing magical golden apples.
This garden was also known as the ‘garden of Atlas’ or the ‘orchard in the west’ and we are told how the Greek hero Hercules reached Atlas, who was among the Hyperboreans, and asked him to fetch the golden apples before tricking him and leaving with the prize.
Atlas and the Hesperides. ( Public Domain )
Diodorus described the sacred island of Hyperborea.
Plato described the sacred island of Atlantis.
Aristotle described the sacred island of Ierne.
All were descriptions of Ireland clouded by mythology, superstition, and a poor knowledge of geography.
Over time Hyperborea became Hybernia or Hibernia, the Roman name for Ireland.
Read more: ancient-origins
