A shallow grave which has been described as a Connemara version of Diarmuid and Grβinne's resting place is being investigated by the National Museum of Ireland.
The grave at an undisclosed beach in west Galway may be part of a more extensive burial site dating to around the 6th century.
Two skeletons in an embrace were unearthed in a dune area, and have been taken for further examination by National Museum archaeologists. The discovery was made by Prof Mike Williams of NUI Galway's geology department, during a visit to the beach as part of continuing research work. He has been studying layers of shells at sand dunes on the west coast.
"I saw what I thought was a large shell and it turned out to be a skull," he told The Irish Times. "There was another beside it." He contacted the National Museum, and D·chas, the Heritage Service, is investigating it further. "What we found was a shallow grave with two skeletons intertwined in quite a dramatic embrace," Prof Williams said. "It was just like Diarmuid and Grβinne's resting place - or a Connemara version of the Sligo original. Unusually, the heads were pointing east - the opposite to a Christian burial which is usually pointing west."
A pair of legs were found some distance away, and Prof Williams believes that it may be part of a large burial site in the area. "The two feet were folded over, as if the legs had been bound in swaddling clothes," he said. "There were no identifiable artefacts, but resources would be required to carry out a more extensive study of the area," Prof Williams said. The beach is subject to erosion, and the sensitivity of the environment is such that the location cannot be pinpointed, he said. "You had a situation in Mayo a month ago where people were out at Geesala trying to find more gold torcs, after the recent find there," he said. "The National Museum doesn't want that happening here."
Dr Eamonn Kelly of the National Museum has estimated that the skeletons could date to the 6th century. However, a more precise dating will take some weeks.
