Irish Rare Penal Cross

An exceedingly rare Yew wood Irish Penal Cross, dated 1716, these were sold at places of pilgrimage like Logh Derg and Croagh Patrick the holy mountain here in Mayo. This dated one is the earliest dated one that the national museum of Ireland has recorded, they have a few in their folk collection based here near Castlebar in Mayo, it was found in the bog near Newport Mayo in the 1930s by John Maquire of Newport. The wooden ring at the top has broken, perhaps this is why it was lost having dropped from the neck while cutting turf (peat) in the bog many years ago. Rare It is approx 5" tall & I think was worn and used for a long period of time as it is very smooth and tactile.