From the chalice to a planned museum — new book is set to finally put my hometown on the map

EVER since I started making my way in life and people have asked where I’m from, my reply has been, “Ardagh, (with the emphasis on the first syllable), adding “... of the Chalice.”

Ardachadh means “high field” and, as has often been pointed out to me, it makes more sense grammatically to emphasise the second word. But that’s how it’s pronounced in west Limerick, so that’s the way I’m proud to say it.

The Ardagh Chalice is considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish church and ranks alongside the Book of Kells as one of the finest examples of Celtic Art. It was also the inspiration for the Sam Maguire Cup.

There wasn’t much mention of the chalice when I was attending the nearby St Molua’s National School in the 1970s.

We certainly never went to visit the site at Rerasta Fort. Actually — psht, don’t tell anyone — I only visited it for the first time over Christmas. There’s isn’t a lot to see.

The chalice was found in 1868 by Jim Quinn and Paddy Flanagan, when digging potatoes. Unusually, contrary to custom, the interior of the fort had been tiled. The Chalice, a stemmed cup and four brooches were found under a slab of rock. It is believed that the owner, possibly a priest, may have hidden them in a hurry and, for whatever reason, never got back to retrieve them.

A few years ago, a monument to the discovery of the chalice was unveiled but, other than that, there isn’t much about it.

If this were found over the border in Kerry, no doubt the locals would have woven a thrilling mythical narrative about the hoard and built it into a tourist attraction.

Though there are some moves afoot.

Over a year ago, St Kierans Heritage Association was set up with the aim of promoting the area’s heritage. Upcoming events this year include the reenactment of the finding of the chalice, on its 150th anniversary, in September.

Secretary of the association, Mary Kury, recently published a 440page history of the area, simply entitled Ardagh.

When I was growing up, Ardagh was a typical small, lively village, with five pubs, three shops and a post office. Its decline in the meantime is also pretty typical.

Now there is one pub, a pub/bistro and no shop, except for the availability of a few essentials at Denis Greany’s butcher’s shop, which is one of three outlets selling Mary Kury’s book (price €30), along with Moloney’s Daybreak, Carrigkerry and Newcastle West book shop.

Work on the book was begun by Mary’s father, Jerry McMahon — an awardwinning farmer and wellknown for milking Jerseys.

Jerry’s interest in the subject began in 1951 when he visited an exhibition in London, where there was a replica of the Ardagh Chalice on show.

He was astonished that so many people from so far away knew so much about the history and design of the chalice while he, who had grown up in Ardagh, was ignorant of both.

The book is peppered with maps and photos, as well as poems, songs and tales of the area, and will be of great interest to social historians as well as locals.

The chalice is not Ardagh’s only claim to fame. It was home to Young Ireland leader William Smith O’Brien, at Cahermoyle, and his final resting place is at Rathronan.

I also learned about where I grew up, Elm Hill, our house being directly opposite the ruins of a mansion of the same name, that was once centre of the Studdert Estate.

Among other projects being investigated by the St Kierans group is the establishment of a museum. I’m delighted to see their efforts and wish them the best of luck with putting Ardagh on the map.