Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 1990

Vol. 400 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EC Leaders Banquet.

John Connor

Question:

3 Mr. Connor asked the asked the Taoiseach, in view of the decision to display the Derrynaflan Chalice in Malahide Castle, County Dublin, at the banquet for EC leaders on 25 June 1990, if he will outline the reason for the refusal to allow the Cross of Cong to be transferred to Castlerea, County Roscommon, for the liturgical ceremony on 21 July 1990 to be conducted by the Cardinal Archbishop of New York, given that the request was made by the direct lineal descendant of the person who commissioned the Cross.

The Taoiseach

I understand that this matter was mentioned in conversation to the Keeper of Antiquities at the National Museum but no formal request to lend the Cross of Cong for the liturgical ceremony in question has been received.

The Director of the National Museum advises that the original Cross of Cong is an extremely delicate structure of wood, cladded in decorative metal plates and, hence, is too fragile to be considered for loan. If a formal request is made and appropriate conditions of care can be provided in Castlerea, the lending of the museum's copy of the Cross, itself a very significant artefact which was acquired by the National Museum in the 1930s, will be considered. That replica was lent for display during the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park in 1979 and was also made available for liturgical ceremonies held at Abbey-knockmoy, County Galway, in August 1989.

Mr. Connor

I assure the Taoiseach that the conversation to which he referred was taken to be a formal request to the director of antiquities for the Cross of Cong. Referring yesterday to the Moy-lurg Cross, the Taoiseach said it was a good thing that these objects should be displayed in their appropriate background.I would suggest that an appropriate place to display the Cross of Cong would be in County Roscommon. After all it was commissioned and made for Roscommon Abbey in 1123. In keeping with that the Taoiseach has said about displaying such objects in the appropriate backgrounds, does he not think it would be appropriate that it should be displayed on this special occasion in Castlerea?

The Taoiseach

I assume the Deputy is referring to the replica, not the original.

Mr. Connor

No, to the original cross.

The Taoiseach

I do not think I could agree there. My advice is that it is not suitable. It is too fragile for that type of display. On previous occasions the replica was displayed.

Mr. Connor

The Cross of Cong has been taken abroad and displayed in the United States and in London. Given the fact that it was taken abroad, I cannot accept that it is too fragile to go to Castlerea.

The Taoiseach

I do not think the Deputy understands. I am not being difficult.The museum advise that the original cross is an extremely delicate structure of wood cladded with decorative metal plates and is too fragile to be considered for loan. They are quite prepared to make the replica available under suitable conditions. It is used for these occasions.

Mr. Connor

It was not too fragile to take to London and New York. Does the Taoiseach not take the point that if it can cross the Irish Sea and travel 3,000 miles across the Atlantic it could go 100 miles to Castlerea? I cannot take the Taoiseach's argument.

The Taoiseach

That is not the position.