The Shrine of St Caillín is a metal cumdach (a book-shaped shrine) built before 1536 to hold and protect the 15th century Book of Fenagh manuscript. [1] [2]
It has been described s "something of a specialist in the production of battle talismans" [3] and according to legend, in his lifetime commissioned a number of battle standards, including this shrine. [3] The shrine was badly damaged in a 2009 fire at St Mel's Cathedral, Longford, where it had been kept since 1980. [1]
It was acquired by the National Museum of Ireland the following year, while the manuscript is in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy. [4] There is some doubt as to if the shrine was actually intended as a cumdach, given that it is smaller than the manuscript. [1]
The Shrine of St Caillín is a metal cumdach (a book-shaped shrine) built before 1536 to hold and protect the 15th century Book of Fenagh manuscript. [1] [2]
It has been described s "something of a specialist in the production of battle talismans" [3] and according to legend, in his lifetime commissioned a number of battle standards, including this shrine. [3] The shrine was badly damaged in a 2009 fire at St Mel's Cathedral, Longford, where it had been kept since 1980. [1]
It was acquired by the National Museum of Ireland the following year, while the manuscript is in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy. [4] There is some doubt as to if the shrine was actually intended as a cumdach, given that it is smaller than the manuscript. [1]