Death of author and discoverer Jack Roberts

The death has taken place of Jack Roberts, a name synonymous with some of the most important archaeoastronomical discoveries at Irish megalithic monuments in the modern era.

Jack passed away after a short illness today. He lived at Gort, Co. Galway. 

He and the late Martin Brennan made some of the most important discoveries relating to the astronomical alignment of Irish Neolithic monuments in the 1980s. The pair discovered the winter solstice sunset alignment of Dowth's southern chamber in 1980, and also the equinox sunrise alignment of Cairn T at Slieve na Calliagh, Loughcrew.

Jack was an Englishman who arrived in Ireland (in West Cork)  in the mid-1970s and immediately fell in love with the place. He was particularly impressed with the sheer number of archaeological monuments that survive in Ireland.

He made jewellery inspired by some of the well-known megalithic art and was often seen at markets in Galway, Kinvara and further afield selling his beautiful items.

When Martin Brennan came back to Ireland in 2009, Jack was among the first to greet him, along with their mutual friend Toby Hall, in what was a very emotional reunion for all three.

Following that reunion, Jack experienced something of a resurgence of interest in Ireland's ancient past, writing and publishing several books including The Sun Circles of Ireland, The Sacred Mythological Centres of Ireland and Island of the Sheela-na-Gigs.

Among his many friends was the late John Michel, who he describes as a key figure in inspiring the work that both Jack and Martin Brennan did in unraveling the astronomical mysteries of the past.

Jack was very well known for his work on Irish stone circles, and published a number of maps and books about them. He also had a major interest in the mysterious Sheela-na-gig figures carved into many medieval Irish churches and buildings.

My last meeting with Jack was at the Bealtaine Fire Festival at Uisneach last month, on 12th May 2024. He was sitting in the audience during my talk about Newgrange, and was then giving a talk himself about Sheela-na-gigs. We shook hands between talks and he was in good form. Little did I know that would be the last time I saw him alive.

Rest in peace Jack. You were a giant of megalithic discovery and a good friend.

Below is an interview I recorded with Jack at my home back in September 2013:

Read the official death notice for Jack here.