description Derrynaflan Paten Overview
The Derrynaflan Paten is a large silver liturgical dish discovered alongside other artifacts in the Derrynaflan Hoard in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1980. It dates to the 8th or 9th century and was used to hold bread during the Eucharist. The paten is highly significant as a surviving example of early medieval Celtic metalwork and ecclesiastical art. It is currently housed in the National Museum of Ireland, where it is preserved and displayed for historical study.
help Derrynaflan Paten FAQ
Where is the Derrynaflan Paten currently on display?
The Derrynaflan Paten is currently on permanent display at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. It is housed there alongside the other artifacts discovered in the Derrynaflan Hoard, which include a liturgical strainer and a bronze basin.
Who found the Derrynaflan Hoard in 1980?
The hoard was discovered in 1980 by a local father and son using a metal detector on an ancient monastic site in County Tipperary. They found the large silver paten buried inside a bronze basin, effectively preserving the fragile silver sheet for centuries.
What was the purpose of the Derrynaflan Paten?
Dating to the 8th or 9th century, the large silver dish was used to hold the consecrated bread during the Eucharist. Its remarkably large size indicates it was likely used by a high-ranking cleric or at a major monastery for mass ceremonies.
How did the Derrynaflan Paten influence Irish law regarding artifacts?
The discovery of the hoard in 1980 eventually led to a protracted legal battle over the finder's reward between the finders and the Irish state. This case heavily influenced the drafting of the National Monuments Act of 1987, which strictly regulates the use of metal detectors in Ireland.
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