Rathgureen Roman Lamp

Handcrafted Replica Roman Oil Lamp – Inspired by the Rathgureen Find

Details

We crafted the archetype for this replica Roman lamp as part of a collaboration with the National Museum of Ireland, which provided us with a sherd of an original lamp discovered at Rathgureen, County Galway. Using this fragment, we have faithfully recreated the lamp, just as the Romans once did, bringing this rare piece of history back to life and sharing it with the wider world.

A Roman clay oil lamp fragment, discovered at Rathgureen during excavations in the 1940s, is now held in the National Museum of Ireland. It is one of the only known Roman oil lamps from Ireland, highlighting a fascinating link between late Roman culture and early Irish society.

Dating from the 4th–5th century AD, the lamp belongs to a style commonly produced in the Eastern Mediterranean. It was designed to burn olive oil, a fuel entirely foreign to Ireland at the time, making it likely an imported luxury item. Its presence in a high-status ringfort suggests it was a symbol of wealth and long-distance connections.

Although Ireland was never part of the Roman Empire, this lamp is evidence that Roman goods and ideas did reach its shores. Whether brought by traders, travelers, or Irish mercenaries returning from Roman Britain, it provides a rare glimpse into early cultural exchange between Ireland and the Roman world.

Our handcrafted replica brings this extraordinary artifact back to life, allowing you to own a piece of Ireland’s untold history. 

Materials

White earthenware

Dimensions

Length: Approx. 112 mm

Production

Each museum-quality replica is entirely handcrafted using traditional Roman techniques and historically accurate tools.

• Made using authentic methods, just as the original would have been
• Fired using traditional techniques, resulting in unique variations in surface colour and texture
• Each piece is one of a kind, just as with original Roman lamps

Health & Safety

Before using your lamp, please read the safety instructions:

• Burn ONLY OLIVE OIL in your lamp.
• DO NOT use modern lamp oil or any other flammable liquids.
• Place the lamp on a stable, non-absorbent, and non-flammable surface, away from heat sources.
• DO NOT move or pick up the lamp while it is lit.
• Ensure that there are no flammable materials above or near the lamp.
• DO NOT leave the lamp unattended while it is lit.
• Keep the wick trimmed very short to ensure a clean, bright flame and reduce the risk of fire.
• This lamp is not a toy – KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
• Use this lamp at your own risk – we cannot take responsibility for accidents or injuries caused by its use.
• Extinguish the lamp by snuffing it out with a metal spoon – never blow it out or use water.

Instructions for Use

1. Adjust the wick so that it does not protrude above the wick aperture.
2. Fill the lamp with olive oil through the filler hole in the centre. (Allow the wick to soak for 1 hour before lighting for the first time.)
3. Light the lamp.
4. If the flame produces smoke, shorten the wick by gripping it with tweezers through the filler hole and gently adjusting it. (Do not attempt this while the lamp is lit or the wick is hot.)

Ordering Information

• 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
• 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.

Shipping

• Standard shipping: Sent via second-class postal service.
• Faster delivery: If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
• Carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in perfect condition.

Own a piece of Roman history – order your replica oil lamp today and bring the light of the ancient world into your home!