These crescent-shaped gold ornaments are called lunulae. They date back to the early Bronze Age, c.2200 BC. Irish gold - much of which was found in the Wicklow mountains - has a subdued glow and the main part of the lunula was left plain to better reflect the light. Lunulae may have been worn in connection with ritual moon rites.

This next form of ornament is known as a torc. It was worn as a necklace or braclet and dates from the middle to late Bronze Age. The torc design evolved from the cords which were used in garments and they show an advance in technique. 

These late Bronze Age gorgets (c.1000 BC) were made of hammered gold, typically with concentric circles or rope design and ribbing. Gorgets were probably worn by rich Irish warrior kings (chieftains). In the lunula, gold was used to suggest light, whereas in the gorget, gold is used to emphasise its weight and it suggests power. The wearer was now respected, not for the amount of light that the gold ornament reflected, but for its sheer weight. That Irish gold was growing scarce may have added to this attitude.

Other Bronze Age ornaments include cape/dress fasterners, armlets, sundiscs (worn on garments) and 'bulla' (believed to have served, perhaps, as an amulet, to ward off evil, or to encourage fertility).

Alongside such objects of personal adornment, Bronze Age artisans produced objects such as rings, boxes, spools (below right) and sheet gold (below left), which may have been created for ceremonial or ritual purposes. All the ornaments and objects mentioned here are available to view in the National Museum, Dublin.