The National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park is marking the Mayo senior football team’s historic All-Ireland win with a rare display of a beautiful nineteenth century chalice.  

This silver chalice was made by silversmith Edmund Johnson in 1897-98. It is a replica of the Ardagh Chalice from Co. Limerick, which dates to the 8th century AD and is one of the greatest treasures of the early Irish Church.

The design of the chalice will be familiar to many as that of the Sam Maguire Cup, which was presented by the GAA to the victorious Mayo team this summer. The Sam Maguire Cup is modelled on the Ardagh Chalice which is on permanent display in the National Museum of Ireland at Kildare Street in Dublin.

The chalice on display at Turlough Park demonstrates highly complex skills of craftsmanship. It is two-handled and lavishly decorated with filigree, Celtic knot-work and a central border of script.

The Sam Maguire Cup, which is modelled on the Ardagh Chalice, was crafted by silversmith Matthew Staunton on behalf of Hopkins and Hopkins of Dublin and was presented to the GAA in 1928.