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Rosary Workshop - Museum - Irish Penal Rosary
20c IRISH PENAL ROSARY
AN PAIDRIN BEAG - THE LITTLE ROSARY - 1950s
     When the church was being persecuted the faithful went underground and the Irish Penal Rosary became popular.  It could easily be hidden in the hand and up the sleeve. The ring was moved from  one finger at a time (beginning with the thumb). In this process all 5 decades of the rosary were completed.  Dates back to the early 18th century.

CONFIGURATION    -   BEADS    -  SYMBOLS    -  HISTORY

for more information on Penal Rosary see
HUNT MUSEUM (LIMERICK)
IMAGES OF PENAL CROSS FROM 1729
 
 The long cross was believed to be designed to go into the hand more secretly - but some recent information from the Natioual Museum of Ireland, home of the largest collection of Penal crosses tells us that these little crosses were souvenirs from Loch Derg, a holy site, carved from wood. Possibly the shape came from the Tall or High Crosses found all over Ireland symbolize the reaching up to heaven and dating back to the days of St Patrick (4th c).
 

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~ CONFIGURATION~

ONE DECADE CHAPLET (I0 AVES & 1 PATER) - 9 in

RING AT END WAS PUT ON ONE FINGER AT A TIME TO PRAY THE
FULL 5 OR 15 DECADES.  CRUCIFIX WAS HIDDEN IN THE HAND
OR SLIPPED UP THE SLEEVE.


~ BEADS ~

LITTLE CLOVERS ARE CARVED INTO THE SURFACE OF EACH

COFFEE COLORED BEAD.  A SOUVENIR VERSION OF THE PENAL
ROSARY USED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.


~ SYMBOLS on the CRUCIFIX ~

A CRUCIFIX FULL OF SYMBOLS ON OBVERSE AND REVERSE

SIDES, TELLING THE SALVATION STORY - 2.25 in
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OBVERSE
 HAMMER: For the nails of the Cross
HALO: Crown of Thorns was not usually shown
JUG or CHALICE: The Last Supper
CORDS for BINDING: Symbolize the Scourging at the Pillar
SPEAR: Piercing the side of Jesus
+
REVERSE
CROCK and POT: Symbolizing the early apocryphal legend relating to Judas the betrayer.  Also the resting cock which suddenly came to life and crowed, thus prophesizing the resurrection.
THREE NAILS: Tools of the Crucifixion
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Thank you to all who have sent information ...
Especially to Marianne Payne of Canada
+
... and to Fr Jim who wrote:
On the Irish Penal rosary I believe you were wondering what the marks are on the right side. They symbolize a ladder. The cross being the ladder by which we reach heaven. Glad to be of help.
Thanks for this information, Fr Jim! blessings from the Rosary Workshop


~ HISTORY ~

Religious persecution in Ireland began under Henry VIII. (1540 till  about 1731)  The local Parliament adopted acts establishing the king's ecclesiastical supremacy, abolishing the pope's jurisdiction, and suppressing religious houses.  A trip through the countryside of Ireland today will yield ruins of monasteries and churches everywhere.  After awhile, one has to ask, what really happened? It is a long and sad history as soon after this came the Potatoe Famine which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women and children.
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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, could 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.
+
These times became known as the 'Penal Times' and the Irish Penal Rosary became popular.
 

see the Workshop's three Penal Rosaries
CIPR.2000  -   CIPR.2010 (bronze) CIPR.2020 (iron)
2010 & 2020 offered with ancient crosses

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