Roger Grimes Antiques

Description

An exceedingly rare Yew wood Irish Penal Cross, dated 1716, these were sold at places of pilgrimage like Loch Derg and Croagh Patrick the holy mountain here in Mayo. At this time under British rule no one was allowed to practice the Catholic religion and to be caught with this cross would have possibly ended in death ! This dated one is the earliest date one that the national museum of Ireland has recorded, they have a few in their folk collection based here near Castlebar in Mayo, it was found in the bog near Newport Mayo in the 1930s , The wooden ring at the top has broken, perhaps this is why it was lost having dropped from the neck while cutting turf (peat) in the bog many years ago.

It is approx 5" tall & I think was worn and used for a long period of time as it is very smooth and tactile.