A Chalice Returns Home: Displaying the Clonmacnoise Chalice in Ballinahown

At the end of 2024, Darac had the pleasure of working with Ballinahown Community Development, who secured a grant from the Heritage Council to commission a bespoke display case for a remarkable object of local and national significance — the Clonmacnoise Chalice.

This historic chalice now has a permanent home in Ballinahown Parish Church, a building still very much in daily use. Our design had to take into account the rhythms and practicalities of parish life, while also providing a secure, elegant, and conservation-conscious solution for display.

After careful consultation with the community group, we created a wall-mounted case with integrated lighting and two custom shelves — the lower to securely support the chalice, and the upper to showcase a complementary glass anointing oil set, creating a visual dialogue between different liturgical traditions.

Installation took place on a crisp winter’s day, and we were struck by the warmth and dedication of the Ballinahown team. Their commitment to celebrating and sharing their village’s heritage is clear, and it was a privilege to support them in bringing this important piece of ecclesiastical history into the heart of the community.

The result is a display that not only honours the chalice’s sacred origins, but allows it to be appreciated by future generations — right where it belongs.