New Info Boards installed beside Offaly treasure

A series of attractive information boards have been installed beside St Manchan's Shrine in St Manchan's Church Boher near Ballycumber.
The Shrine is one of Offaly's great treasures. Created by monks in the 12th Century to house bones (perhaps of St Manchan himself, who founded a monastery in Lemanaghan circa 645AD) it displays a stunning level of metalsmithing skill and craftsmanship.
During Heritage Week, on Sunday August 23, the renowned Offaly metalsmith Kevin O’Dwyer, co-author of “St Manchan’s Shrine – Art and Devotion in Twelfth-century Ireland”, talked to heritage enthusiasts about the Shrine and about the new interpretive panels. Kevin offered us unique insights into the shrine’s creation, artistry, and cultural significance. He said the old panels were removed and these new panels are better, adding new information. They discuss the relationship between St Manchan and Lemanaghan Monastery. The Shrine was perhaps created in Clonmacnoise for Lemanaghan Monastery. The panels also discuss the five wonderful Harry Clarke windows in the church, commissioned in 1930. The windows visually tell stories connected to St Manchan.
The panels were written by Kevin O'Dwyer and designed by Una Young. The photographs were taken by Kevin O'Dwyer and the panels were made in Make & Share, Abbeyleix.

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