Rosary Workshop - CIPR.5000  -  5050
IRISH  PENAL  CHAPLETS  I - VI
TRADITIONAL HORN  - 'AN PAIDRIN BEAG' - THE LITTLE ROSARY
 The Penal Rosary was developed from a long and sad history of the people of Ireland. But for some unknown reason, it is finding a new life all over the praying world, possibly because of world events.  It is often known as  'An Paidrin Beag' or 'The Little Rosary'. All medals are hand cast from antiques in sterling silver or solid bronze then antiqued to restore original patina.

YES! WE NOW HAVE TWO 5 DECADE IRISH ROSARIES OF HORN

ORIGINAL PENAL CHAPLET   -   18c CROSS BRONZE/IRON
POCKET CHAPLETS  -  CONNEMARA MARBLE (IRELAND)
JACOBS LADDER   -  MUSEUM INSPIRED
 IRISH HORN ROSARY   -  CELTIC HORN ROSARY
HISTORY OF PENAL CHAPLET
SHOPPING CART
 
WHY THE PENAL CHAPLET?
A trip through the countryside of Ireland today will yield ruins of monasteries and churches cropping out of 40 shades of green - everywhere.  After awhile one has to ask, 'what happened?' Religious persecution in Ireland began under Henry VIII (1540 until about 1731).  The local Parliament adopted acts establishing the king's ecclesiastical supremacy, abolishing the pope's jurisdiction, and suppressing religious houses. To read more, use HISTORY link.

OUR MOST POPULAR EVER

~ OUR ORIGINAL CHAPLET ~

WE ALL HAVE A BIT OF IRISH IN US!
 

WILD GOOSE CRUCIFIX

~ 18c BRONZE / IRON CHAPLET ~

      CAST IN IRON AND BRONZE
 

HANDCAST METAL

~ POCKET CHAPLETS ~

FINGER or THUMB RING

AN OLD CUSTOM

~ JACOB'S LADDER ~

FINGER RING
 

R
READ MORE HISTORY ON THE PENAL CHAPLET
HUNT MUSEUM (LIMERICK IRELAND)

1722  PENAL CRUCIFIX

~ IRISH HORN ROSARY ~

USED ON THIS TRADITIONAL
IRISH HORN ROSARY
 

CELTIC CRUCIFIX

~ CELTIC HORN ROSARY ~

TRADITIONAL HORN ROSARY
 

~ HISTORY / PENAL CHAPLET ~

 A trip through the countryside of Ireland today will yield ruins of monasteries and churches everywhere.  After awhile one has to ask, 'what happened?' Religious persecution in Ireland began under Henry VIII (1540 until about 1731).  The local Parliament adopted acts establishing the king's ecclesiastical supremacy, abolishing the pope's jurisdiction, and suppressing religious houses.
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In 1691, King James II signed the Treaty of Limerick. This assured that the Irish Catholics were secure to own their own land, speak their own language and above all, practice their religion.  History tells us that as soon as he left Ireland, the treaty was broken and all the guarantees above were denied by the English.  Death became the common penalty for attending or celebrating the Mass. Many, many Priest and Laity lost their lives in the underground churches.
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These times became known as the 'Penal Times' and the Irish Penal Rosary became popular as the ring could be put on one finger at a time (beginning with the thumb) and then moved to the next finger until all 5 decades of the rosary were completed. This way it was hidden in the hand of the pray-er so as not to be found.  Dates back to the early 18th century. The long cross was believed to be designed to go into the hand more secretly - or possibly up the sleeve - but the Tall Crosses which are all over Ireland symbolize the reaching up to heaven. What is the origin of this long, narrow crucifix? It dates back to Loch Derg, Co. Donegal (St Patrick's Purgatory) where these crosses were carved from wood for souvenirs for pilgrims according to the Natiounal Museum of Ireland! The arms kept breaking off so the shorter crossbars became popular.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION

WHAT IS A GEBETSKETTE ZEHNER?
GEBETSKETTE ZEHNER is German for 'Prayer Chain Decimal' (ZEHNER:  Decimal or 10). These open ended 10 bead chaplets were very popular with men. One end had a small cross called the 'CREDOKREUZ' (Credo Cross) to remind one to pray the Creed and to ask for an increase in faith hope and charity,  followed by a medal or crucifix. A tassel (PASSEMENTERIE) was often included.. The other end was a ring (often like an ornamental ring you would wear on your finger). These chaplets date back to the 16c so may have a longer history than what we know as the Penal Chaplet above. These 10 bead chaplets were still in use in the mid 1800s and also known as a 'TENNER'. (now looped).  They were popular in all silver but recently picked one up at a flea marked in Germany with wooden beads  from the same period or later. These looped 'TENNERS' also included a smaller cross
 

... a pleasure to pray on ...
Just wanted to say this is the most impressive rosary ordering site on the web.  Thank you, and all the rosaries I have purchased for myself from the Rosary Workshop have been incredible conversation pieces and a pleasure to pray on. Now that I have buttered you up some I am begging mercy and wondering if you  would expedite my Irish Penal chaplet more quickly then normal.  With all my heart and prayers I am thanking you very much in advance, and looking forward to doing business again.   ~  JF (USA)

ROSARY WORKSHOP MISSION STATEMENT
Our vision is to provide the finest handmade rosaries, chaplets and other fine religious art forms for personal worship we can make using the best supplies available.  The Guild believes the work of our hands should give visual Glory to God, therefore for us, the best for you is very, very important.