The silver chalices, monstrances and communion cups are all on show, glistening under the lights. Ciaran MacGonigal, director of the Hunt Museum, holds a monstrance up as if officiating on the altar, posing for the photographer. Could there be a hint of a lost vocation? "Only if I could become a cardinal," he says quick as a flash.
The church silver of Limerick and its environs is on view in the new atrium of the Office of Public Works at 51 St Stephen's Green. "They will all have to be back well before Christmas," warns Dr John McCormack, explaining that the North Thomond Church silver is still used for special occasions. He, Clodagh Lynch and her husband, Michael Lynch, are responsible for collecting the pieces, which date from 1425 to 1820 from the churches of three dioceses. "It's an ecumenical exhibition, which I'm particularly pleased about," says McCormack.
The retired dean of Killaloe, the Very Reverend Ernon Perdue has come along too just to enjoy the opening, which is carried out by Martin Cullen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance.