Ellen M. Prendergast (11 June 1918–10 May 1999) was Ireland's first female professional archaeologist.
Early life and education
Ellen M. Prendergast was born at
Killure near
Paulstown,
County Kilkenny as one of a pair of twin girls, her sister was named Catherine.[1] She was educated in the Brigidine Convent school in
Mountrath. She was a boarder there and it was here that
Helen Roe (1895–1988),
Laois county librarian, inspired her about archaeology with lessons on local history.[1]
Prendergast spent her professional life working in the National Museum of Ireland, specialising in areas including burials of the later
Neolithic period, prehistoric pottery and Early Bronze Age cist burials. She remained deeply interested in the archaeology of County Kilkenny and was a regular contributor for the Old Kilkenny Review, and she was a member of the
Irish Archaeological Society committee from 1945.[2]
In addition to her involvement in history, Prendergast was known as a feminist and trade unionist, and a supporter of the Irish language.
* "Kiln at Luffany, Co Kilkenny", Old Kilkenny Review, 1960.
*"Prehistoric burial site at Slieverue, Co Kilkenny" Old Kilkenny Review, 1960.
* "Prehistoric grave at Jeanville, Powerstown, near Gowran", Old Kilkenny Review, 1962.
* "Ancient cemetery at Coolmore, Knocktopher – cist graves", Old Kilkenny Review, 1963.
* "New High Cross at Leggettsrath", Old Kilkenny Review, 1964.
* "Carved stone head in the care of the Nolan family of Glenbower", Old Kilkenny Review,1965.
* "Burials at Gallowshill, Kilkenny", Old Kilkenny Review, 1970.
* "Smithstown axe-head found near Thomastown", Old Kilkenny Review,1970.
* "Burial of the Bronze Age at Moyne, Durrow, Co Laois", Old Kilkenny Review, 1974.
* "Fulacht fiadh at Firgrove near Inistioge", Old Kilkenny Review, 1976. * "Fulacht fiadh at Ballyhimmin, near Castlecomer", Old Kilkenny Review,1977.
* "Medieval jug from Castleinch or Inchyologhan", Old Kilkenny Review, 1977.
* "A bronze axehead from Tullaroan area", Old Kilkenny Review, 1981.
* "Two artefacts of the Bronze Age from County Kilkenny (spearhead from 1984 Tullaroan and axehead from Rathcash, Clifden)", Old Kilkenny Review, 1984.
* "A spearhead with a difference – found by James Healy of Rathkyle, near 1985 Conahy", Old Kilkenny Review, 1985."The Vigors collection", Old Kilkenny Review, 1985.
* "An ancient repair method to a bronze spearhead", Old Kilkenny Review, 1986.
* "The birthplace at Higginstown of Fr Matt Keeffe (1811–1887), Callan curate", Old Kilkenny Review, 1987.
* "Viking sword from Harley Park, parish of Ballingarry", Old Kilkenny Review, 1991.
* "Fertility figure, or Sheelagh-na-Gig, from Tullaroan", Old Kilkenny Review, 1992.
* "Images of the Holy Trinity: two new examples, at St Rioch's Kilkenny and 1993 Ballybromhill, Co Carlow", Old Kilkenny Review, 1993.
^Wallace, P. F. (11 June 1918). "Ellen M. Prendergast (Born 11 June 1918; Died 10 May 1999)". The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 129: 141–143.
JSTOR25509092.