Saint Manchan's Shrine

​Art and Devotion in Twelfth-century Ireland

Book Publication: 

                                       
Limited edition

Full colour publication

Size: 220mm x 280mm

Hard back with dust cover

Stock: Maxi Offset 150 gsm printed 4/4

Binding: Threadsewn

Jacket: 4/0 and matt lamination 150 gsm

Retail cost: 45 euro

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​Publication    

St Manchan’s Shrine, Ireland’s largest surviving reliquary, is a masterpiece of medieval art. It uniquely blends Irish, late Viking/Urnes, and Romanesque Christian styles, making it a fascinating study for both archaeologists and metalsmithing enthusiasts.

This beautifully produced, full-colour coffee table book brings together the expertise of archaeologist Griffin Murray and metalsmith/photographer Kevin O’Dwyer. O’Dwyer’s atmospheric and meticulously composed photographs capture the shrine’s intricate details, while Murray’s essays illuminate its history, folklore, and artistry.

The publication features:

Stunning full-page and double-page image spreads

Rare antiquarian drawings and close-up details of the shrine’s metalwork

In-depth essays exploring:

St Manchan and the monastic site of Lemanaghan

The art and craftsmanship of the shrine

Cultural cross-fertilization, including the Late Viking/Urnes style

Connections to the makers of the famous Cross of Cong

As the Irish Arts Review notes:

“The largest reliquary surviving from medieval Ireland, one of the most remarkable features of St Manchan's Shrine, is the variety of techniques used in creating its ornamentation, including lost wax, fire-gilding, enameling, die forming and chasing, all of which are clearly explained by Kevin O'Dwyer… Kevin O'Dwyer is also a superb photographer. His images of the whole shrine and, more particularly, its detail, make this book stand out, causing the eye to notice things that it would not normally. O'Dwyer chooses subjects that bring home the richness of the decoration, which stands out vividly against a black background.”

Combining visual storytelling with scholarly insight, this book offers an essential exploration of one of Ireland’s most remarkable medieval treasures.

 Essays

Introduction

St Manchan and Lemanaghan 

Lemanaghan and Clonmacnoise

The art and craftsmanship of St Manchan’s shrine 

Late Viking art and the Urnes style

St Manchan’s shrine and the Cross of Cong

St Manchan’s shrine – recent history 

Lost and Found: the story of the eleventh figure

Metalsmith glossary (How it was made)

Conclusions  

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