6 Proeeedrng-'i of the Royal Irish Academy, 



appearance of handles, and any tool markings that can be traced were done 

 with fine implements. All are illustrated on a much-reduced scale in 

 fig. 3. 



The age of these vessels is quite problematical ; but judging by their con- 

 dition, and the situation of their discovery, they are derived from a crannog 

 of mediaeval date. Professor A. Henry has kindly examined the vessels, and 

 reports that the large vessel with four legs is made out of a piece of either 

 sallagh or ]ioplar wood, the vessel next in size being made from a picee of 

 alder wood. 



Early Bronze Processional Cross from Donagh, en the 

 Diocese of Clogher, also the ancient High Cross of Donagh. 



Plate II. 



I CALL this rare specimen of an Irish processional cross the bronze cross of 

 Donagh, because it was found there. In 1911 I was stopping at Glasslough, 

 with my friend Mr. Shane LesUe, and after perusing Shirley's " History of 

 County Monaghan" (p. 295), we went to the old graveyard of Donagh, on the 

 summit of a hill, to look for the cross mentioned by Shirley. I was assured 

 on all hands that it had disappeared, and so it had. A close examination of 

 the church ruins convinced me, and I soon satisfied my friend that the old 

 church had been used by the Planters. My friend was of the opinion that 

 the present Protestant church was on the site of the Planters' church. 

 Having got so far, we looked around to find any trace of the cross, thinking 

 it might ha^•e been destroyed or removed by the older race to preserve it 

 from desecration, as Monaghan had much turbulence in the Plantation and 

 even later times. After diligent search I came on a mossy stone level with 

 the ground. On removing some grass and earth, I found it unshakable, thus 

 proving it had some depth in the ground. Further excavation revealed the 

 head of the lost cross of Donagh. We did not delay in having it unearthed 

 and set up on its old site in a firm foundation, so that now it is visible for a 

 long distance in every direction. It stands about 5 feet high, and 3 feet 

 wide in the armS; and has upon its east face the figure of our Lord carved 

 in the old Irish way. One thing leads to another. Mr. Shane Leslie still 

 searching a short time afterwards, discovered in a disused room above the 

 sacristy of the old Catholic church at Donagh this bronze crucifix. He at 

 once consulted with me regarding its preservation. My advice coincided 



