Armstrong — Some Matrices of Irish Seals. 473 



bearing on its breast a crucifix ; above this enclosed in an oval frame are two 

 human arms, saltire wise, and above these a cross and below a heart. (Plate LI, 

 fig. 1 0.) , Inscription — 



SIG • DELEG • COM & VIC ■ APO ■ PEG ■ HIBEENA. 



The seal of the Delegate Commissary and Vicar Apostolic of the Kingdom of 

 Ireland. 



The initials F • A • C in the body of the device stand for its owner. He was 

 a Erancisean, as is shown by the crossed arms. These are found on all seals 

 of the Order, and, when painted, one is represented as naked, and the other 

 with a brown sleeve, the former being symbolical of the arm of Christ, and 

 the latter of that of St. Francis.' 



The matrix was found at Clonmethan. 



The following three matrices of ecclesiastical seals are preserved in the 

 British Museum : — Matrix of the seal of the Austin Canons, Abbey of 

 St. Peter and St. Paul, Co. Monaghan, and the matrix of the seal of the Clergy 

 of Kilmore, both of the fourteenth century ; also the seventeenth-century 

 matrix of the Convent of BalUnrobe. There are two matrices in the Public 

 Art Gallery and Museum, Belfast: one of the seal of John, Abbot of Saul, 

 and the other of the official seal of the Metropolitan See of Armagh. 



Matrices of Local Heraldic and Miscellaneous Seals. 

 The matrices of local seals in the Academy's collection at present number 

 only four ; but there are four others in the collection of the Eoyal Society of 

 Antiquaries of Ireland, at present on loan to the National Museum. With the 

 exception of the matrix of the seal of the Irishtown, Kilkenny, the matrices are 

 late in date, and their devices lack the interest and individuality displayed 

 on so many of the earlier local seals. The matrix of one of the seals of the 

 Corporation of Gowran is curious, with its device of the sacred monogram 

 and emblems of the Passion ; but it has no artistic merit, and is probably not 

 earlier than the seventeenth century. These matrices, as a whole, are not of 

 very great interest, and as they have been described and illustrated in 

 publications easily accessible, it will only be necessary to give a list and 

 indicate where the descriptions are to be found. 



In the Collection of the Academy. 



1. Silver Matrix of the seal of the Corporation of Belturbet, Co. Cavan. 



(Ulster Journal of Archaeology, new series, vol. i, 1894, p. 112.) 



2. Silver Matrix of the seal of the Mayor of Youghal. (Journal Eoy. Soe. 



of Antiq. of Irel., vol. vi, p. 140.) 



Ex inform, the Rev. Fr. Thomas, o.s.f.c. (Pro-vincial), Franciscan Capuchin Friary, Duhlin. 



