A 7th century crozier uncovered in a Co Offaly bog, which is believed to be one of the earliest dated Christian objects found in Ireland, was presented to the National Museum in Dublin yesterday.
The ceremony was to mark an agreement between Bord na Mona and Duchas - the heritage service of the Department of Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands - to manage the impact of peat harvesting on the State's archaeological heritage.
The agreement encompasses a set of principles, a code of practice and the appointment of archaeological liaison officers at each production centre.
These officers will monitor the production areas and have been trained in the area of conservation with Duchas and the National Museum.
Under the agreement with Duchas, Bord na Mona will be responsible for the preservation of structures and objects discovered in the peat production areas.
In addition to the crozier, a horse harness dating from the 1st or 2nd century, found by a Bord na Mona employee in Ballykane bog, Co Offaly, was also presented to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms Sile de Valera.
The harness was made up of four Y-shaped pieces made of copper alloy. It is thought they were used in pairs to harness ponies to a chariot.