Bring The Chalice Home

TD Seán Sherlock has called for important Irish Artefacts to be returned. And they can be...on loan.

The Mount Keeffe Chalice dates back to 1590. The chalice itself is a beautiful and unique, and includes a Latin inscription; COK.ME.FIERI.FECIT.ANNO.

DOMINI 1590 which translates to; “Charles O’Keeffe made me in the year of 1590 AD”.

According to accounts, it was used by two priests to celebrate mass during a time when Catholic mass was outlawed. Some claims go as far as to say it was found in a tree along with priest garb. The two priests were murdered by British soldiers near a farm in Newmarket in 1690. Where the two passed is on or near what’s now known as the Chalice tree, a 30ft sycamore named for its chalice shape.

Following the death of the priests, it disappeared, and between 1600 and the early 1800’s, its whereabouts are unknown. While the years are not precise, it was eventually (presumably) purchased by Antiquarian Robert Day and was in his possession until his death. Following this, an auction led the piece to a family who sold it to the London Victoria and Albert Museum for £400 (approx €25,000 today).

It’s lived there since the purchase, and was spotted in the 1960’s by a relative of the selling family.

Mr. Sherlock said; “I welcome any initiative that would seek to bring the chalice home, even if only on loan to begin with. It would be great if this could lead to a permanent repatriation down the line. This chalice is representative of a need for deeper engagement between our own Catholic Institutions and those in the UK for a reciprocal agreement on a needs basis.

The chalice is one of Ireland’s oldest religious artefacts, but it is just one of thousands of treasures taken from Ireland to the UK.

The chalice is joined by the Annals of Inisfallen - a priceless and unique chronicle of the medieval history of Ireland written between 433 and 1450 - as well as more than 30 other historical Irish manuscripts held in the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries, Right now, we can hope this loan leads to lost artefacts coming home for good.