Uses of the Round Towers of Ireland, fyc. 339 



to which I have alluded is as follows, and clearly indicates the use to which the 

 reliquary was applied : 



" HOC-EST * JURAMENTVM NATVRALE *." 



From the following inscriptions, also on this reliquary, we find that it was pre- 

 served in Loughrea, in the County of Galway, where there is still remaining, at 

 a short distance from the Carmelite Friary, a small church dedicated to St. 

 Bridget, in which, no doubt, this relic was preserved. These inscriptions are : 



"COCh T?eiCh ANNO * DOMINI * 1410." 



" S. * BRIGIDA VIRGO * KILDARIENSIS HIBERNLE * PATRONA." 

 And over a head in relievo there is the following inscription : 



" S * IhON * BAPTIST." 



Of other ornaments found on our ancient churches, numerous examples are 

 also to be met with on the inscribed tombstones at Clonmacnoise, but of which 

 I shall content myself with a single example from one now in my possession, 



and which may be interesting as an instance of the simple customs of the 

 times, the stone having been originally a quern, or hand-mill stone. This stone 

 exhibits four of these ornaments, namely, the zig-zag, rope, bead, and Etruscan 

 fret; and though it is not easy to fix its exact date, it will be sufficiently 

 evident, from the absence of a surname in the inscription, that it is at least 

 anterior to the eleventh century. The inscription is simply the name SECHNA- 

 SACH, which is not an uncommon one in the Irish annals and pedigrees, and 



2x2 



