St Conall Cael’s Bell and Shrine
19th June – 11th July 2015, Letterkenny
13th July 2015, The Dolmen Centre, Kilclooney
Donegal County Museum has worked in partnership with the British Museum to facilitate the loan of these items and have had to comply with stringent conditions regarding security, the environmental storage requirements and security, including the transportation of the artefacts by specialist fine art couriers.
This visit of these iconic items represents a major coup for Donegal County Museum. This iron hand bell is said to have originally belonged to St Conall Cael in the 6th century. The bell is an early type made from a sheet of iron, its handle and loop for the clapper is missing. A plate of brass decorated with native Irish and Viking interlace ornament was added around the year 1000. Long after his death, in the 15th century ornate silver ‘bell shrine’ was made to protect and embellish the bell. It was worshipped by pilgrims during their turas on the island of Inishkeel. > Read More
Donegal Gathering | Festivals & Events in the North West 