A public appeal has been issued for the return of a 200-year-old masonic banner that was taken from Borris House in Co Carlow last month.
The owners of Borris House, a popular tourist attraction, believe the banner, that dates to the early 19th century, may have been mistaken for a Star of David and taken as a form of protest.
The banner displays a gold star on a blue background, a masonic symbol, and had been in Chapel of St Moling, located within Borris House, since the 19th century.
Morgan Kavanagh of Borris House said that it was taken during the Festival of Writing and Ideas on Saturday, 7 June, sometime before 3pm that day.
"Someone may have been upset and may have been taken in the mistaken belief that it was an Israeli symbol.
"The banner predates the state of Israel by almost 150 years. It is integral to the chapel, and it was there since its inception in 1816.
"The banner has significant historical attachment to Borris House. It would be great to get it back."
Mr Kavanagh said his family are urging whoever took the banner to return it and has stated that there will be no repercussions if it is returned.
The Festival of Writing and Ideas has taken place in Borris House every June since 2012.
Situated in the Barrow Valley, Borris House is a private historic house and a popular tourist attraction.
Originally an Irish castle, the country house was built in the Tudor Style in 1731.
It is the hereditary home of the MacMorrough Kavanagh family.
The house is surrounded by 650 acres of woodland and gardens and was damaged during the 1798 rebellion, but was restored in 1820.
Borris House contains many antiques and paintings, and is the home of the Borris Lace industry, established in the mid 1840s.