Bigger — Some Recent Archaeological Discoveries in Ulster. 7 



with his wishes. It should be conserved as far as possible without any 

 alteration, save replacements, in the condition in which it was found, and 

 restored to its original use and benefit. This has been done in a way I will 

 tell you, and with the result you can see. It is now in the care and trust 

 of the Most Rev. Patrick MacKenna, Bishop of Clogher, and is kept at 

 Saint MacArtin's Cathedral, in Monaghan. This we considered a more 

 worthy way of treating so valuable a relic than even having it carefully 

 preserved amongst the Irish Antiquities in the Royal Irish Academy's 

 Collection in the National Museum, or running the risk of its retention in a 

 private collection. 



When found it had only two beads, the one at the right side of the head, 

 and the one at the foot ; and the top jewel was missing. The bead at the left 

 side of the head is one I was fortunately able to supply, as well as the jewel 

 at the head of the cross. This bead is an ancient one, and the jewel is most 

 appropriately a polished pebble from Cranfield on Lough Neagh. The cross 

 itself is made of two lengths of brass fastened at the centre one 14 inches 

 long, and the cross-bar 9 inches long, both about f inch wide and -^ inch 

 thick. The head and ends of the arms enlarge into circles to hold the 

 jewels. The figure from the drapery and head-dress appears to be of the 

 thirteenth century. It corresponds in some respects to the figure on the 

 cross of Tuam, which is of that date. It is much worn by use. The feet 

 are crossed, and with the hands are -fastened, with bronze nails, right 

 through the shaft and arms of the cross. The head inclines to the right ; 

 the figure is not what might be called a hanging figure of the dead Christ, 

 but has some of the Celtic spirit of life, with the arms widely expanded, 

 and the eyes open. The remarkable feature is the addition of the beads. 

 They are fastened with bronze pins through the cross, and are clearly of 

 much older origin than the crucifix. The original blue enamelled bead 

 at the right side is a particularly fine specimen, with circular ornament 

 upon it in red, purple, and white. The original bead below the feet is of 

 purple glass ; the ancient added bead to the left is of white glass. Further 

 along the arms of the cross are two other openings which are also doubtless 

 made for nails to fasten on beads or other ornaments. There is also one at 

 the back of the head. The original jewel at the right hand is of crystal ; 

 that to the left is of purple glass. The one at the head is the Lough 

 Neagh pebble. The jewels on the arms are simple, clasped with bronze 

 indented hoops fastened to the shaft, whilst the one at the head has a similar 

 clasp with a twisted wire around it, and a circle of ball ornament, giving it 

 the appearance of an earlier date than other features would warrant. This 

 ornament may have originally existed around the side jewels, and beeq 



