The St Augustine's Christy Ring chalice 'must remain in Cork'

The hurling legend donated his eighth All-Ireland senior medal to St Augustine's Church — which celebrated its final Mass today — and it formed part of the base of a now-famous chalice

The Christy Ring Chalice in the sacristy of St Augustine’s Church in Cork city centre today, Sunday. Partly made with the melted-down All-Ireland senior medal won by 'Ringy', the vessel was used during the final Mass celebrated at the church today. Picture: Chani Anderson

When Christy Ring lived on the Grand Parade in Cork city centre, he was a daily communicant in St Augustine’s Church.

In 1954, local people donated gold, silver, and precious stones to decorate the church’s Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel. 

When the materials were melted down, enough remained to fashion an ornate chalice.

Christy Ring action during the 1956 Blackrock v Glen Rovers Cork county hurling final at the Athletic Grounds. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive

Christy Ring was one of those parishioners, and he donated his eighth All-Ireland senior medal, which formed part of the base of the chalice.

That chalice was used today, Sunday, by Fr Paddy O’Reilly to celebrate the Augustinian Order’s final Mass in Cork.

Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, has called for the chalice to be donated to Cork Public Museum in Fitzgerald’s Park.

“It should remain in Cork, where its story began, and it should be displayed in a museum that is free and easily accessible to the people of Cork city,” he said.

Fr Paddy O’Reilly bringing Holy Communion to members of the congregation during the final Mass at St Augustine’s Church in Cork today, Sunday. See link below. Picture: Chani Anderson

"This is not simply a sporting artefact," he said.

It tells the story of faith, generosity, community, and one of Cork's greatest sporting figures. 

"Future generations should be able to see and appreciate that story for themselves."

At Sunday’s Mass, however, Fr O’Reilly suggested that Ringy’s eighth All-Ireland medal — as part of the chalice — may soon be reunited with its seven siblings, perhaps in the GAA museum in Croke Park.

This may not be over yet.