Iconic Treasures - The Objects

Early Iron Age, first century BC

A sumptuously ornamented gold collar, four other neck ornaments, and models of a boat and a cauldron were found close to the ancient shore at Lough Foyle, Co. Derry. The neck chains probably originated in Roman Egypt while the twisted torcs may be of British origin. The hoard may have been deposited as an offering to the sea god Manannán Mac Lir, who was believed to reside in Lough Foyle.

Early Iron Age, first century BC

Made of sheet bronze, the Loughnashade trumpet is one of four found at Loughnashade (Lake of the Treasures), a small lake close to the ancient seat of the kings of Ulster. The trumpet was probably used for ceremonial purposes, and Celtic style decoration on a circular fitting at the mouth is based on the classical lotus-bud motif.

Early Iron Age, first to second century AD

This three-faced carving representing a Celtic god may once have stood at a shrine or a cult centre at Drumeague Hill, Co. Cavan. A small hole in the base indicates that the object stood on some type of pedestal, perhaps a timber post. The three faces differ from each other and each may express a different mood.

Seventh to tenth centuries AD

Tomb-shaped reliquaries are the earliest types of ecclesiastical metalwork known from Ireland and their form recalls the shape of stone sarcophagi of Late Antiquity. They were intended to contain relics of venerated saints and this may also be the function of a lidded stone box from Dromiskin, Co. Louth. Many decorated mounts have become detached and it is not possible to be certain as to what type of object they were made for originally. However, the range of enshrined objects includes books, bells, crosses and croziers.

Tenth and eleventh centuries AD

Brooches and pins for fastening cloaks were among the commonest dress items used in Early Medieval Ireland and their forms and styles changed through time, reflecting influence from a variety of areas. When silver was introduced to Ireland on a large scale through trade routes opened up by the Vikings, Irish craftsmen began to use silver to make new brooch types such as the bossed penannular form and thistle brooches.

Eighth and ninth centuries AD

Found on a ringfort in 1868, the Ardagh hoard contains a magnificent silver chalice, a bronze chalice, three pseudo­penannular brooches and a thistle brooch. The artefacts range in date from the mid-eighth to the late ninth century and may have been deposited around the year AD 900. Decorated around the rim, handles, stem and base with gilt bronze, gold filigree and glass studs, the silver chalice is one of the finest examples of Early Medieval Irish metalwork. The names of the apostles (except Judas) are incised around outside of the bowl.

Eighth and ninth centuries AD

In 1980 a silver chalice, a silver paten and stand, and a copper alloy strainer-ladle were found concealed under a bronze vessel at the monastery of Derrynaflan, Co. Tipperary. The chalice is less elaborate than the Ardagh chalice however comparisons can be drawn between the Derrynaflan paten and the Ardagh chalice, which may have been produced in the same workshop.

Eighth to ninth century AD

This metal-covered wooden cross was discovered on the lakebed at Tully Lough, close to the edge of a small crannóg. Encased in sheets of tinned bronze, it is decorated with cast and gilt bronze bosses and flat mounts, two of which depict human figures flanked by beasts. The form and decoration of the cross suggests that stone high crosses may have been influenced by wood and metal crosses of the Tully Lough type.

Eighth century AD

Found in a bog in 1945, the Moylough belt shrine contains a leather belt that was a relic associated with an unknown early saint. The belts or girdles of saints were regarded as potent relics having miraculous properties, and they were believed to be particularly effective in relation to problems in childbirth. Decorated elaborately with enamel and glass studs and stamped silver foils, extensive wear suggests that the shrine was used frequently.

Early eleventh century AD

Made to enshrine the gospels of St Molaise of Devenish, the Soiscéal Molaise is one of the earliest known book shrines from Ireland. The front is in the form of a ringed cross with panels of gold filigree and gilt silver framed by the silver grille of the cross device. The four evangelists are depicted in the central panels.

Late eighth to ninth century AD

A collection of harness mounts from Templehouse Lake employs the use of openwork panels of animal ornament. Tinning is used to highlight the decoration.

Tenth century AD

The earliest church bells used in Christian Ireland were made from folded sheets of iron that were occasionally bronze-coated. During the ninth and tenth centuries larger cast bronze bells, such as the Bell of Armagh, were produced, and these remain the largest cast bronze objects from Early Medieval Ireland.

Eighth to twelfth centuries AD

Early Medieval craftsmen worked in many media including wood and bone to produce both secular and ecclesiastical objects. The influence of Scandinavian art styles can be seen on carved wooden and bone artefacts excavated in tenth- to twelfth-century levels in Viking Dublin. Designs, probably for metalwork pieces, were practiced on wood or bone, such as the one on display from Christchurch Place, Dublin. Decorated wooden vessels like those from Clonard, Co. Meath, and Derrymullen, Co. Laois, were probably used both for secular and ecclesiastical purposes.

c.1100 AD

This shrine was made around 1100 to contain the bell which is much earlier in date and is reputed to have belonged to St. Patrick. The openwork panels on the sides of the shrine are decorated in the so called Urnes style, a Scandinavian art style which Irish craftsmen adapted and used extensively to decorate objects in this period. The inscription on the backplate states that the shrine was made by Condulig Un hInmainen and his sons for Domhnall Ua Lochlainn, King of Ireland 1094-1121.