In a modest lake in the Northern County Longford in Ireland, there was an unprecedented find in 1986. Thanks to the sediments in the body of water, pieces of a unique, highly decorated metal object dating from the 9th century were remarkably stored. And now, after a 39-year nature conservation project, the oldest and largest medieval book in the nation can now be seen.
Known as the Lough Kinal Book Shrine after his namesake, the object has a series of medallions with precious stone inserts, together with embellished metalwork in the form of a cross. Part of the exhibition Words about the Golf: Ireland and St. Gallen in early medieval Europe by the National Museum of IrelandKildare Street, the amazing artifact is supplemented with a number of pieces that are contemporary for his time.
The metal of the sanctuary is bronze and includes an oak container that would have kept a cherished manuscript associated with a Christian saint. Used to transfer the volume to different ceremonial activities, it would also have originally had a leather band to transport it easier.
Words on the Golf Also contains a Viking-Swaard discovered in the Shannon River in Limerick and a wonderful example of a medieval brooch-pin, the Ardshanbally brooch, which dates from the 8th or 9th century.
Thanks to the scientific analysis, manuscripts on loan from the Abbey Library in St. Gall, Switzerland, are also confirmed that they were created in Ireland. Researchers found that the Vellum pages were made of the skins of Irish cattle and that monks traveled to Switzerland more than a thousand years ago. This exhibition marks the first time in more than a millennium that the enlightened Tomes have lived in Ireland.
Words on the Golf will continue until October 24 in Dublin. Learn more and plan your visit to the museum website.
