The Oxburgh Chalice facts for kids

The Oxburgh Chalice is a special cup kept safe by a church in Templeport, County Cavan, Ireland. It was made in 1665. On it, there's a message in Latin that asks people to pray for Heward and Clare Oxburgh, who had the chalice made.

History of the Chalice

The Oxburgh Family

Heward Oxburgh was an important person in County Offaly, Ireland. He was a "High Sheriff," which meant he was a chief law enforcement officer for the county. In 1689, he was also a representative for Offaly in the "Patriot Parliament." This was a special meeting called by King James II.

The Oxburgh family strongly supported King James II. Many family members were officers in his army. They fought in important battles like Derry, Aughrim, and the Boyne.

Sadly, Colonel Heward Oxburgh was killed in the Battle of Aughrim on July 12, 1691. After the war, called the Williamite War, the Oxburgh family lost their lands. These lands were taken by the new king, William of Orange.

Clare Oxburgh, Heward's wife, tried to get her husband's property back. Her actions helped historians learn that she and Heward were the ones who gave the chalice to the church. Clare came from the Coghlan family, who also lost their lands in Offaly during the war.

How the Chalice Came to Templeport

A special church meeting, called a "synod," happened in 1669. This was four years after the Oxburgh Chalice was made. The meeting took place in a townland called Owengallees, near Bawnboy in Templeport parish.

Local stories say that a friar named O’Coghlan had the chalice. Friar O'Coghlan was a representative from a northern Franciscan friary. He attended the synod in Bawnboy. This is how people believe the Oxburgh Chalice first came to the Templeport area.

What the Chalice Looks Like

The bottom part of the chalice shows a picture of Christ on the cross. There are ladders on both sides of the cross. You can also see two animals and a bird that looks like a pelican.

The pelican is shown feeding its young with its own flesh and blood. This is a special symbol in Christianity. It represents the Eucharist, which is a holy ceremony where people remember Jesus' sacrifice.

Current Use

Today, the Oxburgh Chalice is very old and precious. Because of its age and importance, it is only used on very rare and special occasions by the church.