The bell, which Senators see on the Table, has been presented to the Seanad by Senator P.T. Kelly.
The bell is a reproduction in somewhat less than half size of the historic Clog Beannuighthe, or Bell of Armagh, which is at present in the Royal Irish Academy Collection in the National Museum. The original bell was found about the year 1725 at Ballynaback, between Tandragee and Scarva, in County Armagh, and is dated by the incised inscription at early tenth century.
The Clog Beannuighthe passed into the possession of the then Dean of St. Patrick's in 1840, and upon his death in 1842 was purchased by the Royal Irish Academy.
The reproduction was made by courtesy of the Director of the National Museum, and the replica is the work of Dublin craftsmen throughout. The bell was cast by the well-known firm of Matthew Byrne and Sons, Bell Founders, James Street; and the base, which is of Irish yew, was made in the National College of Art to the design of one of the teachers there.
I desire to convey to Senator Kelly the thanks of the Seanad for his appropriate gift.