{"product_id":"st-patricks-breastplate-print","title":"St. Patrick's Breastplate Print","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eSaint Patrick’s Breastplate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eIlluminated by Michael O’Connor, a rediscovered Irish National Treasure\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe Irish artist and calligrapher Michael O’Connor, 1913 -1969, created this illuminated version of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate for the \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003ePatrician Year of 1961\u003c\/i\u003e, the fifteenth centenary of Ireland’s national saint. \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eSaint Patrick’s Breastplate\u003c\/i\u003e also known as \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eThe Deer’s Cry\u003c\/i\u003e or alternatively as \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eThe Lorica of Saint Patrick,\u003c\/i\u003e is a prayer of protection and devotion. The story goes that it was Patrick’s prayer for safety when he anticipated an ambush on a journey to spread the Christian faith at the Royal Hill of Tara.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIreland celebrated \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eThe Patrician Year\u003c\/i\u003e with services, and devotional activities throughout 1961. Saint Patrick lived in the 5\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century. The Irish Annals date his arrival in Ireland as AD 432. His traditional feast day, 17 March, is recognized as the date of his Earthly death and ascension to Heaven March AD 461.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe style, layout and ornamentation of Michael O’Connor’s art has its roots in the early Christian manuscript tradition of the 7\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e to 10\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e centuries, the \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eGolden Age of Celtic Art\u003c\/i\u003e. O’Connor’s work is informed by such masterpieces of calligraphy as the famed \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eBook of Kells\u003c\/i\u003e and the \u003ci style=\"mso-bidi-font-style: normal;\"\u003eBook of Durrow\u003c\/i\u003e, both preserved and displayed at Trinity College Dublin. The Breastplate also is highly influenced by the late 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century tradition of the Celtic Revival, when illuminated addresses, charters and commemorative documents were frequently decorated with artwork reflecting the style and heritage of the ancient Celtic art of Ireland’s past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis illuminated Breastplate was exhibited to the nation in 1961, but then vanished into obscurity. It remained with his family until recently when it was entrusted to the Kerry Writers’ Museum in Listowel. The museum is located in the former home of Dr. Michael O’Connor, father of the artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSale of prints of this artwork will benefit the \u003cb style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;\"\u003e3rd International Day of Celtic Art Conference\u003c\/b\u003e that will be hosted by the Kerry Writers’ Museum 11 – 14 June 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEACH PRINT IS 16\" x 20\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Walker Metalsmiths","offers":[{"title":"1 Print","offer_id":43491693068390,"sku":"St. Patrick's Breastplate PRINT-1","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 Prints","offer_id":43491693101158,"sku":"St. Patrick's Breastplate PRINT-2","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3 Prints","offer_id":43491693133926,"sku":"St. Patrick's Breastplate PRINT-3","price":60.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0223\/9193\/files\/StPatricksBreastplate2025_enh300_16x20_copy.jpg?v=1762879470","url":"https:\/\/walkerscelticjewelrrush.com\/products\/st-patricks-breastplate-print","provider":"Walker Metalsmiths","version":"1.0","type":"link"}