A death mask of the Great Emancipator Daniel O'Connell has been presented to the State by the Countess of Dunraven in whose family it has been for over 160 years.
The heavy plaster-cast image of 'the Liberator' had been kept in Derrynane Cottage, in Co Kerry, since 1847.
Lady Dunraven said that "with a lot of younger children coming in and out of the cottage, the family were afraid it would get damaged and decided, given it this Heritage Week, and the annual Daniel O'Connell Summer School is on in Co Kerry, it would be a nice thing to do, to hand it over to the State."
"It has been sitting on a shelf, much loved, for 161 years, we don't know how it got into the Dunraven family but we believe somebody may have given it to the Third Earl of Dunraven in memorial of the two men's long years of friendship."
Lady Dunraven presented the death mask to the chairman of the Office of Public Works Maurice Buckley at Derrynane House this morning.
The Countess of Dunraven presenting the death mask of Daniel O'Connell #Derrynane to OPW chairman Maurice Buckley #theLiberator - more @rtenews pic.twitter.com/OeNTrn6spz
— JennïeØSullivân (@OSullivanJennie) August 24, 2019
In a specially-made white box, wrapped with an emerald green ribbon, Lady Dunraven said the death mask had some minor damage but the OPW would have the skills to repair it sensitively.
O'Connell died in 1847 in Genoa, Italy, while on pilgrimage to Rome at the age of 71.
At the time of his death, it was not uncommon that a death mask would be made of an important person's face with the masks often used by sculptors and artists when creating busts and paintings.
They are also highly valued in their own right.
Chairman of the OPW Maurice Buckley said the gift came as an unexpected but delightful surprise. He had first heard of Countess Dunraven's intention to gift it to the State two days ago.
He said given Daniel O'Connell's stature here and internationally, it would be an artefact of some significance and would have attracted much interest if it had gone to auction.
'It is a very strong gesture and very much appreciated by the State'.
Mr Buckley said following any restoration or conservation works required to the mask, it would be placed on permanent display at Derrynane House where it will join a large and rich collection of items relating to O'Connell's life.
"Derrynane House was one of the great influences on Daniel O'Connell's life, it was his childhood home and later his country resident.
"This mask willl be an incredibly valuable addition to the collection here and we look forward to making it central to the collection."
