8 Proceedings of the Ropal Irish Academy. 



destroyed. The back of the crucifix is perfectly plain. The base of the 

 cross-shaft is slightly expanded with three nail holes in it, clearly showing 

 that it had been fastened into a base or shaft to be held erect. These 

 three holes were used in the new shaft which has been added, as I had no 

 doubt this crucifix was the terminal of a processional cross. A word for the 

 shaft as now restored. Every piece of it is Irish work and material. It is 

 of ancient Irish timber from the oak woods of Ballinderry, in Co. Antrim, 

 used for centuries in the old O'Neill church at Portmore. The serpent head 

 fastening the shaft to the cross is copied from that of the cross of Cong, 

 interlaced with four jewels, marbles, red from Munster, green from Connacht, 

 black from Leinster, and white from Ulster. There is a Celtic bronze ferrule, 

 and an interlaced bronze cross upon the bulb in the centre of the shaft with 

 the simple inscription : — 



U115. Se^ri. uj^ l^-pLi-ij <i.n Cpoi-p ]-eo. -oo. TlAOTti. tn^cA-pcAin A. 1911. C. 



