Breac Maodhóg

The Breac Maodhóg (English: Speckled Shrine of Saint Maedog) is a relatively large Irish house-shaped reliquary, today in the National Museum of Ireland. It is thought to date from the second half of the 11th century, and while periods as early as the 9th century have been proposed, the later dating is believed more likely based on the style of its decoration.

The shrine is made from large plates of bronze on a wooden base, on which are placed series of relief figures on bronze plaques. It is best regarded for the individuality of these figure, as well other details in other panels give insight into contemporary ecclesiastical and social practices. At a height of 190 mm and width of 92 mm, it is relatively large compared to similar objects of its type. It was for centuries kept in a small decorated leather satchel added in the late medieval period, which is slightly too small for the shrine and is thought to have been originally designed to hold a manuscript.