PRICELESS ARTEFACTS dating back 4,000 years have gone on display at the National Museum of Ireland after being recovered from a rubbish skip last year.
The hoard consists of a gold lunula – a crescent-shaped ornament worn around the neck or chest area on ceremonial occasions – and two small gold discs both of which date to between 2300 and 1800 BC.
The find has been described as the most significant discovery of early Bronze Age goldwork from Ireland for many years. The discs in particular are the first pair to have been found since the 19th century.
The relics came to light last year following a burglary at Sheehan’s Pharmacy in Strokestown, Co Roscommon. The objects had been kept in a safe at the chemist since 1947 after their discovery in a bog in nearby Coggalbeg.
Following the robbery, the Sheehan family told investigating gardaí that in addition to family papers and other personal belongings, the safe also contained the artefacts. During the Garda investigation it became apparent the burglars had not discovered the objects and had thrown them into a skip along with other items. Gardaí placed a protection order on the skip on Reuben Street in Dublin and went through its contents to retrieve the artefacts. The items were recovered undamaged and handed to the National Museum which undertook an investigation to identify the original finder of the hoard and where the discovery was made.
Museum staff ascertained that Hubert Lannon from Four Mile House, Co Roscommon, found the hoard when cutting turf in his bog at Coggalbeg in March 1945 and handed them to the local chemist. Mr Lannon died just three weeks before the robbery took place last year. Two men pleaded guilty to the burglary this year and received suspended sentences.
Minister for Culture Mary Hanafin, who viewed the relics yesterday, said the story behind the discovery was a remarkable tale which drew a link between Bronze Age chieftains and the Garda Síochána.
“The ancient history surrounding the relics makes it very attractive for any visitor coming to see them and then of course the modern history surrounding their recovery adds a real detective twist to the story,” she said.
Director of the National Museum Dr Pat Wallace said “an extraordinary series of events” led to the discovery of the items.
He said the discovery was of great archaeological significance as it represented the first time a lunula and gold discs had been found together in Ireland.
“We knew they were both from the same era but this discovery confirms the association between the objects and we are able to conclude that they were made together from the same piece of gold and probably in Co Roscommon,” he said.
