Frazer—On an Karly Eeclesiastical Silver Seal. 449 
an Ireland, Hen. VIII., Edw. VI., and Eliz., vol. 1. p. 248. No. 131 
(Dublin, 1861). 
I will add to this list that— 
‘<The benefit of English liberty was granted to Robert Holhane, 
son of Philip and Marguerite de Barry.”” See Report of Commissioners 
of Public Records in Birmingham Tower, 3 Hen. VI., about a.p. 
1450, which certifies that ‘‘the Holegans were and are loyal subjects 
in the county and city of Cork since the conquest of Hibernia.” 
Also a Philip Hologhan, who was the last prior of Kells, and 
surrendered the priory 8th March, 31 Hen. VIII. 
It is evident that the greater number of persons bearing this name 
belonged to the south-west of Ireland: still we find a Hollachan had 
possessions in Connaught, for Hardiman, in his Jar Connaught, mentions 
that a.p. 1585, a Donal Oge O’Houlaghan was one of the twenty 
gentleman having castles in the O’Flaherty’s country. 
It is unnecessary to examine the family history further. Whether 
the O’Nolans of Wexford and Wicklow are related to this family, or 
whether such Anglicised names as Merry, &c., are descended from the 
primitive stock, will not clear up one iota about this seal and its 
missing owner. 
We must turn to a different mode of research, and for suggesting 
it I am indebted to Thomas Drew, Esq., R.H.A., who directed my 
attention to the architectural details of the design. Seals of this 
description, with Gothic Architecture, were used from about a. p. 1390, 
for at least one hundred years; and in the case of Tudor Gothic, which 
commenced during the reign of Henry VII., its employment was con- 
tinued in Ireland, especially in our more remote districts, for a much 
longer period than in England, works.of such a modified Gothic 
being erected during the reign of Henry VIII., and even down to the 
time of Mary, and possibly to the end of her reign. Now here a 
source of error occurs: the lower compartment, by its width and 
peculiar quadricentred arch, might be termed true ‘‘ Tudor” Gothic, 
but it is a mere accident, owing to the artist desiring to utilize the 
entire space at his disposal, and is found in several seals before the 
era of ‘Tudor’? Gothic; so this also fails us, beyond affording an 
approximate limit of age. 
The imagery engraven on the matrix is obvious, and meant to 
convey a perfect belief in the doctrines and teachings of the Roman 
See; on which account we would be induced to conclude that its proper 
date must be antecedent to the time of the Reformation; yet we 
require to bear in recollection that although Henry VIII. in the 
latter years of his reign confiscated the Church property here as well 
asin England, the Reformed doctrines did not receive general acceptance 
in Ireland ; and again, upon the accession of his daughter Mary, the 
Roman Church once more regained its old ascendancy, and a zealoue 
Churchman during her reign would find no difficulty in using such as 
seal. We find it, therefore, necessary to consider the character of 
the letters composing the inscription, which are in early English, 
R.I.A. PROC. SER. II., YOL IV.—POL. LIT. AND ANTIQ. 2Z 
