HC Deb 01 March 1898 vol 54 cc281-2
MR. W. H. K. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any steps can be taken to transfer from the British Museum the ancient gold ornaments recently discovered in Ireland to the National Museum in Dublin, where all the other similar ornaments are on view in the Department of Irish antiquities.

MR. HANBURY

The ornaments are: a collar, a tore, and part of another, a small bowl, a, model of a boat, with oars, etc., and two plaited chains—all of gold. They were first brought to public notice by being exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries in January, 1897, and an account was afterwards published. They were purchased by the British Museum, I in the usual way of business, in April, from a, private person who, it is understood, had obtained them from a dealer. Having been purchased and paid for, they are incorporated in the British Museum collections, and, being neither duplicates nor unfit to be preserved in the Museum, they cannot be transferred without, an Act of Parliament. It is obviously incorrect to say that "all the other similar ornaments are on view in the Department of Irish Antiquaries." The British Museum has a fair representation of Irish archæolopy, and specimens are in other collections.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask whether, in view of the desirability of having these ornaments and other antiquities in Ireland, the right hon. Gentleman cannot see his way to propose a Bill for their removal?

MR. HANBURY

I hardly think we can ask Parliament to do that.

MR. SWIFT MCNEILL (Donegal, S.)

Are not these ornaments treasure-trove? If the English Government bought them are they not receivers of stolen goods?

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