The Ardagh Chalice came to light in 1868, by a worker digging for potatoes in a field. He came across a metal object and he decided to find out what the object was. He discovered a brooch , a cross, and a beautiful cup. It was the Ardagh Chalice.

The Ardagh Chalice is considered to be the finest example of Celtic art to be found. It has two handles, one on either side. The colours of the chalice are made up of gold, silver , bronze, brass, copper and lead. It is made up of 354 pieces, including twenty rivets. There is a beautiful band running on the outside of the chalice, and it is engraved with the names of the twelve Apostles. It is one of the most valuable chalices to be found and it is now property of the National Museum in Ireland. "An Post" issued £1 stamps with a picture of the chalice to various cities and towns, including Ardagh.

The Cross
The Ardagh Cross was one of the other valuable items that was found with the Ardagh Chalice.It was presented to a local priest around that time.It was roughly eight inches in length and was well engraved. This is a replica of the Ardagh Cross, made by a local woodturner John Joe Kenneally.

hThe Large Ardagh Brooch

The most elaborate and earliest of the Ardagh brooches is of late 8th or early 9th century.It is of gilt silver, the front of the brooch is designed with cast interlace ornament and glass studs.The front is also decorated with three raised birds. The "Thistle'Brooch", again dating back to the 10th century, is so-called because of the pinhead and terminals, which resemble thistles.
 

BROOCH FROM THE ARDAGH HOARD

It is one of two similar brooches from the Ardagh Hoard which has lozenge-shaped setting originally for gold filigree (now missing). The edges of the brooch are in the form of animals. This type of brooch is also known from Clare, Kilkenny, and Tipperary and could have been locally made.This group of brooches dates to the early 9th century.