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XLYII. 



ON FIVE GOLD FIBULA LATELY DISCOVERED IN THE 

 SOUTH OF IRELAND, AND ON THE ART PROCESSES 

 USED IN THEIR MANUFACTURE. By DR. W. FRAZER, 

 Hon. Member, Society of Antiquaries, Scotland, and MR. 

 EDMOND JOHNSON. (Plate XXX.) 



[Read November U, 1895.] 



It is admitted as beyond doubt that gold was known and valued in 

 Ireland, from remote ages, but what that period exactly means is a 

 question still to be decided. 



If we refer to Ancient Chronicles which are supposed to contain 

 legendary histories and traditions, faithfully transmitted from prehis- 

 toric times such as the " Annals of the Four Masters " we are assured 

 that in a.m. 3872, which would represent about 132 years before our 

 era, assuming Ussher's Chronology to be correct. 



" Muineamhon first caused chains of gold (to be worn) on the 

 necks of kings and chieftains in Ireland" and in the "Annals of 

 Clonmacnois" it is said he "devised gold to be wrought in chains, 

 fit to be worn about men's necks and rings to be put on their fingers." 



A few years later King Faildeargdoid derived his name from the 

 red gold rings then worn on the hands of Irish chieftains. All this 

 can be read in Sir William Wilde's invaluable catalogue of the gold 

 ornaments contained in our museum in the year 1862. He continues 

 to state that 1300 years later when written history had commenced to 

 replace tradition, gold was valued and sought after. A few notes from 

 the records of about 200 years of this mediaeval period in Irish History 

 may suffice. 



A.D. 989. O'Melaghlin vanquished the Danes of Dublin, and they 

 agreed to give him one ounce of gold " for ever," for every garden they 

 held. To be paid on Christmas night. 



A.D. 1029. Anlaff the Dane when captured by the Lord of Bregia, 

 agreed to pay for his ransom 1200 cows, seven score British horses, 

 and three score ounces of gold, and the sword of Carlus. 



A.D. 1151. Turlogh O'Brien took into Connaught ten ounces of gold. 



A.D. 1162. When peace was concluded with the Danes, they gave 



