Two priceless early Christian artefacts are to go on public display at Cavan County Museum from Tuesday October 12. The two items, namely the Breac Maedoc (St Mogue's Shrine) and The Bell of Saint Mogue, are both associated with the 6th century Cavan born saint and believed to be among the earliest surviving religious artefacts in Ireland .
The Breac Maedoc is a bronze case thatheld the saint's relic's and was kept at Drumlane Abbey during the middle ages, where it was a major attraction for pilgrim's who visited the monastery. It is believed to date from the 9th century.
The Bell of Saint Mogue is believed to have been given to Saint Mogue as an infant on his birth by Saint Killian.
The bell remained on Saint Mogue's Island in Cavan for centuries until it was eventually housed in the Armagh Public Library.
It is currently on loan to the Cavan County Museum.
Speaking to the Anglo Celt newspaper the museum's acting curator Savina Donohoe said,
"The artefacts are of huge historical importance to Cavan and we had to work really hard to get them so it is quiet a coup."
The artefacts will remain on display at Cavan County Museum until October 22.
SIC: CIN/IE