Ireland has a long history and a beautiful culture that has brought many stunning pieces of artwork to the world. Often these beautiful works come from historical artifacts, such as the Book of Kells or the Tara Brooch. Sometimes they are shrouded in mystery, while other times they have a long and storied history. But one thing that cannot be denied is the beauty and intricacy of the artwork that has been masterfully incorporated into many of Ireland’s most treasured artifacts. One great example of this is the Ardagh Chalice, a beautifully preserved chalice dating back to the 8th century that was found just 150 years ago.
How the Ardagh Chalice was found
The Ardagh Chalice was found in the little Limerick townland of Reerasta, near Ardagh in 1868. The hoard was found in an Irish ringfort . The chalice was just one part of what was labeled the “Ardagh Hoard”. The chalice was the only ecclesiastical artifact found in the hoard, but gilt silver brooches and a plain bronze chalice were also found. The Ardagh Chalice was the oldest artifact identified, dating back to 750 AD. Given the age of the artifacts found, it is likely the hoard was buried during Viking raids in an attempt to hide the goods from the Scandinavian raiders. It was only covered by a slab of stone, which suggests it was buried hurriedly. Its owner likely intended to come back and retrieve it, but never did.
The chalice was found by two teenagers, Jimmy Quinn and Paddy Flanagan. They found the hoard while digging for…
