Greenagho Ice-Free Deposits
Archived: 9 September 2026
About 34,000 years before present, Ireland experienced cold, unstable Marine Isotope Stage 3 conditions as the British–Irish Ice Sheet began expanding. Deposits at Derryvree and Greenagho indicate north-central areas remained ice-free until roughly this period, although local glaciers and periglacial processes occurred. Open tundra-like habitats supported reindeer, giant deer, spotted hyaenas, bears and other fauna, evidenced especially at Castlepook Cave. A marked reindeer bone may indicate brief Upper Palaeolithic butchery, but cannot prove permanent human occupation. No settled communities or political institutions are evidenced. Changing coastlines, glaciation and disturbed deposits obscure evidence, leaving animal life and possible mobile human visits.