Saint Manchan's Shrine

It was in poor condition when discovered in the collection of the Mooney family of Doon, County Offaly in 1821, with many of the figures and bosses missing; some of the current elements were added during late 19th century restorations.

[6] The bosses are linked by flat mounts decorated with pale yellow and red enamel cloisonné,[7] and interlace depictions of zoomorphic animals.

[9] The crosses divide each arm into four separate sections; those above and below cross-arms contain four rows of figures in high relief, numbering 52 in total.

[5] The figures all have similar faces but are individualised in other ways: some wear beards, some clasp their hands while others fold their arms, some carry axes, and one holds a book.

[8][3] The shrine was probably produced in the River Shannon area, most likely at the monastery in Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, then a cell for Lemanaghan, parish of Manchan's church and residency.

[11] The influential antiquarian, archaeologist and painter George Petrie was the first scholar to describe the shrine after finding it in the care of the Mooney family in 1821.