Newcastle West Post Office was the venue for the local launch of the Ardagh Chalice stamp on Monday February 22nd. The €1 stamp has been issued to commemorate the finding of the Ardagh Chalice 150 years ago next September. The event was to commemorate the launch of the ninth defin-itive series-A History of Ireland in 100 Objects, A Selection Phase 2 Stamps, launched on Thursday January 25th of which the Ardagh Chalice stamp is part of. The presence of a replica of the Ardagh Chalice from the Hunt Museum was an added bonus.
An overflow attendance was packed in like sardines to the premises to mark this historic occasion. The people from the Ardagh area turned out in strength to be part of the proceed-ings. Seamus Hennessy began proceedings in his usual entertaining manner outlining the reason for holding the event, and its importance to this area. He spoke throughout the evening covering many topics including his time spent in business in Ardagh village at O’Connell’s Pub. His family connections, social media, politics, and people links that helped in organising the event.
Paddy Fullam a native of Ardagh posed some interesting observations about the Ardagh Chalice. Why it was found inside a fort, names on it, and possible links with the Great Hunger, and Saint Molua. Pat Wallace from Kilcornan spoke at length about the history of the Ardagh Chalice, and how it belonged to county Limerick and not county Kerry or elsewhere. He gave details about the individual parts of the chalice and the possibility that it could have been crafted around the Shanagolden area.
Matthew Potter from Clarina, and Limerick Museum, spoke about the replica of the Ardagh Chalice which is 60 years old. This was a very interesting story which many would have been unaware of. Minister Patrick O’Donovan informed the attendance about his family’s links to Ardagh, and Rooskagh, and the importance of the chalice to the west Limerick area. He con-cluded by saying he would do his best to get the Ardagh Chalice to a museum closer to Limerick than Dublin
Mary Kury Secretary of Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association presented Seamus with a copy of her history of Ardagh, and gave details of the upcoming 150 anniversary celebrations over two weekends in late September. Seamus Hennessy presented a framed copy of the first day stamp covers to the people of Ardagh to display in their local hall. Presentations were also made to Pat Wallace and Patrick O’Donovan.
It was a gala occasion with many distinguished guests present, and lovely refreshments and drinks dished out during the evening. A marquee was erected at the entrance to serve this purpose, which many mistook as a shelter for the upcoming bad weather being forecast.
Seamus informed all present that a number of the first day covers will be available to purchase at Newcastle West Post Office in the coming days. He signed off by thanking everyone who helped to organise the evening and all who attended what was a rare celebration espec-ially for the people of Ardagh.