Archaeologists have uncovered an important holy relic in Northern Ireland. The bronze bell shrine, dating back to between AD 1180 and 1200 had been cared for and hidden carefully in the ground for safe-keeping at the site of a settlement at Drumadoon near Ballycastle, Co Antrim.
Mr Brian Williams, joint excavation director of the Environment and Heritage Service, described it as "a rare and most remarkable object". He said: "This is among the most important archaeological objects ever found in the course of an excavation in Ireland. It is a precious and rare survival of an ancient sacred object that would have been venerated by the people of north Antrim over 800 years ago. It is vital that we continue to care for the bell shrine for present and future generations."
Mr Williams spoke of his excitement when the object was found. "The clay just crumbled away and there it was. It was absolutely thrilling.
"An archaeologist could live 20 life-times and never discover anything as beautiful as this." The shrine is made of bronze and would have contained a sacred bell almost certainly belonging to a saint or other holy person.
Fixed to the front panel is a cast figure of the Crucified Christ clothed in a belted loin-cloth. The eyes of Christ are made from pale blue glass beads and he wears a three-pointed crown. Other panels have shamrock-shaped devices but there are no indications of a direct link with St Patrick.
It is thought that the inhabitants of the settlement, which was occupied between the ninth and 13th centuries, may have been the hereditary keepers of the sacred shrine and that people would have travelled many miles to see it.
It is now the property of the land-owner but the Ulster Museum hopes to acquire it.