TII Culture Night 2024

TII to launch free online Story Map on the Mitchelstown Face Cup. Over 3600 years ago a Bronze Age masterpiece was crafted, a face from Ireland’s Past!

The Mitchelstown Bronze Age Face Cup

As a contribution to Culture Night 2024, Transport Infrastructure Ireland is publishing A face from Irish prehistory an online Story Map about the unique prehistoric discovery – the Mitchelstown Face Cup. This object is a small ceramic cup moulded in the shape of human face, made during the Bronze Age between 3800-3600 years ago, which pottery experts have described as the most exceptional Bronze Age pottery ever to have been found in Ireland.

The Face Cup was found with a curious tub-shaped pot and ceramic spoon by archaeologists undertaking pre-construction excavations along the route of the N8/N73 Mitchelstown Relief Road, in north County Cork in 2004.

Since its discovery the Face Cup has continued to intrigue. It is the inspiration for the largerthan-life art installation at the junction of Oliver Plunkett St and Princes St in Cork city centre commissioned by Cork City Council from renowned artist Fiona Mulholland. The online Story Map complements the art installation in telling the story of this fascinating discovery.

The Story Map—that includes video clips, interactive 3D models and downloadable files for 3D printing—describes the original discovery, the reaction of the archaeological community and how this little cup with a big personality continues to inspire.

The Story Map is a celebration of human connection across thousands of years and can be accessed here.