St. Patrick's Breastplate Print

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Illuminated by Michael O’Connor, a rediscovered Irish National Treasure

The Irish artist and calligrapher Michael O’Connor, 1913 -1969, created this illuminated version of Saint Patrick’s Breastplate for the Patrician Year of 1961, the fifteenth centenary of Ireland’s national saint.  

Saint Patrick’s Breastplate also known as The Deer’s Cry or alternatively as The Lorica of Saint Patrick, 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.

Ireland celebrated The Patrician Year with services, and devotional activities throughout 1961. Saint Patrick lived in the 5^th 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.

The style, layout and ornamentation of Michael O’Connor’s art has its roots in the early Christian manuscript tradition of the 7^th to 10^th centuries, the Golden Age of Celtic Art. O’Connor’s work is informed by such masterpieces of calligraphy as the famed Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow, both preserved and displayed at Trinity College Dublin. The Breastplate also is highly influenced by the late 19^th 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.

This 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.

Sale of prints of this artwork will benefit the 3rd International Day of Celtic Art Conference that will be hosted by the Kerry Writers’ Museum 11 – 14 June 2026.

EACH PRINT IS 16" x 20"