The Seagoe Bell

Replica made by the sculptor, Holger Lonze, Artist in Residence in Craigavon in 2008

The bell is known by several names including Clog Ban (or more likely Clog Beannuighthe – Blessed Bell), Clog Dubh ( Black Bell, as it is black in colour), The Seagoe Bell, (used in North Armagh) The Bell of Armagh (National Museum of Ireland).

The bell commemorates Cumascach, an official in the church at Armagh who died in 904AD, and this makes the bell over 1,100 years old. The inscription ‘Oroit ar chumascach m ailello’ has been translated by C.F. McGleenon as ‘A prayer for Chumascach son of Ailill’.

The Seagoe Bell is of the same shape as other ancient Irish bells e.g. the St Patrick’s Bell, and stands 12 and a half inches high at the handle. It is of an oblong form with the corners rounded off. The body of the bell is of light coloured bronze while the clapper and the handle are of iron.

The Seagoe Bell was in the keeping of the Heaney Family near Tandragee before they lost their lands to the O’Hanlons. The bell was then lost but on its recovery in 1725 in Relicarn graveyard near Tandragee it was claimed by the Hennan family (possibly descendents of the Heaneys) who had by then moved to the parish of Seagoe. A Bernard Hennan sold the bell to Archdeacon Saurin, the Seagoe Church of Ireland rector. In 1840 it exhibited by the Royal Irish Academy.