458 



ITrrin [lubap Gbcnrm]. — Urrin, a river in the barony of Scara- 

 walsh, in the Co. Wexford. The name is derived from mbap (the Yew), 

 and abairm (river). The town of Newry derives its name from a large 

 yew tree, which stood at the head of the strand there in the time of St. 

 Patrick, and was called lubap cirm Cpaga, i. e. the Yew at the head of 

 the strand. At a later time it was simply called Gn lubap (the Yew), 

 and in anglicizing it the n of the article became the primary letter of the 

 name — thus, N-Ewry, and it has been called by several writers The 

 Newry. The word lubap (a Yew tree), has been derived by an old 

 glossographer from eo {semper), and bapp (a top), signifying the ever- 

 green top. The former word e6 has been also used to denote the Yew 

 tree, and hence TTlag-eo (the Plain of the Yews), from which the county 

 of Mayo has got its name. 



XLIX. — On- an Ancient Cup and Brooches, found near Ardagh, in 

 the County of Limerick. By the Right Hon. the Earl of Dun- 

 raven. 



[Abstract.] 



[Read February 22, 1869.] 



The Earl of Dunraven read a paper on a very ancient and remarkable 

 cup, and several brooches, discovered in September, 1868, in a rath 

 close to the village of Ardagh, in the county of Limerick. They were 

 found by a man digging potatoes within the rath. The cup is seven 

 inches in height, and nine and a half inches in diameter ; it is composed of 

 an alloy of silver, and ornamented with gold work of interlaced and 

 various other designs of the highest period of Celtic art, and also with 

 enamels of beautiful character and finish. Round the bowl was an 

 inscription, composed of the names of the twelve Apostles. The form 

 of the letters is that found only in the earliest Irish MSS. — for 

 example, the Book of Durrow, sixth century, the Book of Kells, the 

 Book of Dimma, the Durham Book, &c. &c, all prior to the 9th 

 century. There can be little doubt that this cup was a chalice. Two- 

 handled chalices were in use before the 11th or 12th century. They 

 were of two kinds^ — those which were used for the Communion of the 

 minor clergy and the laity, and those which were only employed 

 for ornament, being hung between [the pillars of churches or before 

 the altar. Several examples of both kinds are mentioned in the 

 paper. "With respect to the age of this precious relic of early Irish 

 art, judging by the inscription, it would appear to be prior to the 9th 

 century; but the workmanship is of the highest period of that art, 

 which, according to Dr. Petrie, culminated about the 11th century. 

 The 10th century may, therefore, be taken as the probable period in 

 which this most beautiful cup was executed. 



"Within the chalice were found a small cup, a chalice of bronze, and 

 four brooches. The cup is five and a half inches in diameter, and is 



