Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of the campaign to return the Mount Keefe Chalice currently held at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to Cork; if he will make representations to support its return; if he has received, or when he expects to receive, the final report of the Advisory Committee on the Restitution and Repatriation of Cultural Heritage. [43461/26]
View answerI am aware of the Mount Keefe Chalice, also known as the O'Keefe Chalice - one of Ireland's oldest religious artefacts, commissioned by a member of the O'Keefe family in North Cork in 1590, and believed to have been used to celebrate Mass during the 1690s, in the time of the Penal Laws. The chalice then disappeared and it was later sold in 1929 to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London for £400 where, as the Deputy highlighted, it remains to this day. While I cannot intervene in individual cases – that would be a matter for individual Institutions or individuals involved, I am very supportive of Irish artefacts being available for people to see in Ireland. I would also like to acknowledge the view of the descendants of the O'Keefe family and the local communities who would like to see the chalice returned. In addition to their great personal and sentimental value, culturally sensitive objects such as this - of Irish origin held in museum collections abroad - are important in enriching our understanding of the story of our past, our cultural heritage and identity, and our local history.
With regard to the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Restitution and Repatriation of Cultural Heritage, I was delighted to receive the Advisory Committee's final report yesterday (10th June). I am now giving their recommendations my full consideration, and I intend to then bring the report to Government at the earliest opportunity. I will publish it immediately thereafter.
As I have outlined before, I believe that the Advisory Committee's work and recommendations will foster goodwill, trust, and mutual co-operation, which could in turn support any future Irish efforts to seek the return of cultural heritage materials from abroad. Existing relationships between Irish cultural, collecting, and research institutions and their internationally based colleagues are positive and well-established, and these provide a strong foundation for enhanced collaboration and co-operation.
I would like to thank the Advisory Committee Chair - Sir Donnell Deeny - and all of the members, for their outstanding work and commitment over the past 3 years.
