Wicklow hillfort declared the largest nucleated settlement in prehistoric Ireland and Britain.

Researchers from Queen's University Belfast report that Brusselstown Ring near Baltinglass contains hundreds of potential roundhouse footprints, and radiocarbon dating indicates primary occupation in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1210–780 BC).

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast report that Brusselstown Ring, a hillfort complex near Baltinglass in County Wicklow, has been identified as the largest nucleated prehistoric settlement in Ireland and Britain. The cluster includes up to 13 hilltop forts and other enclosures spanning the early Neolithic to the late Bronze Age (c. 3700–800 BC). New excavations were combined with recent terrestrial and aerial survey data to reassess the site's scale. Radiocarbon dating and fieldwork indicate substantial occupation in the Late Bronze Age and continued use into the Early Iron Age. Key findings: - The research team combined existing archaeological records with new ground excavations and recent aerial surveys to study Brusselstown Ring. - Terrestrial survey work previously detected 288 potential hut sites, while aerial surveys from 2017 and 2022 indicated more than 600 topographical anomalies consistent with prehistoric house platforms. - Ground excavation located 98 potential roundhouse footprints within the inner enclosure and identified a possible further 509 between inner and outer enclosing elements. - Radiocarbon dating suggests primary occupation in the Late Bronze Age (c. 1210–780 BC) with continued use or re-use of some platforms into the Early Iron Age (c. 750–400 BC). - Evidence was reported of a boat-shaped topographical anomaly that may represent a water cistern; fieldwork at the site remains ongoing. Summary: Researchers say the findings suggest a higher level of social complexity, community cohesion and regional importance in prehistoric settlement organisation than was previously recognised. The study won the Prehistoric Society's James Dyer prize for 2025 and has been published by Cambridge University Press. Fieldwork at Brusselstown Ring is ongoing.