SHRINE OF ST PATRICK'S HAND
March
The Shrine of St Patrick's Hand is a hollow, gilt-silver container which once held a long bone from a human forearm, reputedly that of St Patrick. Associated by tradition with Downpatrick, the shrine was made around 1400 and was kept by the McGuinnesses of south County Down until the 18th century. The decoration includes lions, griffins and stags and indicates Irish workmanship, but the shrine is Continental in form.
Both the base and a cavity in the hand are secondary. The base is in fact a paten which has been trimmed at the edges to fit. It bears the letters IHS, representing the shortened form of the name Jesus in Greek. The original base may have been a pedestal.
The shrine, which is unique in Ireland, is the property of the diocese of Down and Connor. Although loaned for many years to the Ulster Museum, the shrine is exhibited during our period of closure in Down County Museum, Downpatrick. It is returned each year to St Patrick's Church, Donegall Street, Belfast, for the duration of the St Patrick's Day festival.
Base of shrine.
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