Before the Vikings came to Ireland, Irish people traded their goods in a system known as “barter”

Before the Vikings came to Ireland, Irish people traded their goods in a system known as “barter”.

• Before the Vikings came to Ireland, Irish people traded their goods in a system known as “barter”.

• Each animal had its own value: for example,

• six hens = the cost of one sheep

Armies, too, had to be paid and weapons had to be bought and this was often done with silver.

• Armies, too, had to be paid and weapons had to be bought and this was often done with silver.

• A huge hoard, known as the Cuerdale hoard was found in Lancashire which included enormous amounts of Irish metalwork and silver.