asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a fragment of a cross which was in Durrow Abbey Durrow, Tullamore, County Offaly and which was attached to the church in the Abbey is missing; if the site in Durrow is a national monument; the location of the cross at present; the action, if any, the National Museum intends to take to obtain same; and if his attention has been drawn to any attempts to sell this particular cross to persons outside this jurisdiction.
Written Answers. - Durrow (Offaly) Cross.
42.
The site of the ancient monastery of Durrow is a national monument and is protected under the National Monuments Acts. The Church to which the cross fragment in question had been attached is not part of the national monument. Having fallen from the church some years ago, it was apparently removed to Durrow Abbey which is a private residence nearby and, as far as I can ascertain, is still there.
It is most desirable that the cross fragment referred to should be protected in conjunction with the site as a whole and negotiations to this end are being pursued by the National Museum and the Office of Public Works. I am aware that the cross was offered for sale outside the jurisdiction but this proposal was withdrawn when the illegality of such a transaction without the requisite licence was pointed out.