26-05-2025
'Ireland's stolen crown jewels would be priceless if they were ever recovered'
Ireland's missing crown jewels would be 'priceless' if ever recovered, according to a leading historian.
The disappearance of the jewels, which sparked a scandal more than a century ago, is examined in a new RTÉ documentary, titled Legacy.
In the series, historian and Dublin Castle buildings curator William Derham revisits the mystery of the jewels' theft in 1907, just days before a royal visit, and the intrigue surrounding one of Ireland's most enduring historical whodunnits. Ireland's missing crown jewels would be 'priceless' if ever recovered, according to a leading historian.
'They were kept here at Dublin Castle, and they were discovered missing then in July 1907, just two days before Edward VII was due to arrive in Dublin and actually wear the jewels during an installation ceremony for the Knights of St Patrick,' Mr Derham said.
He continued: 'The Irish Crown Jewels are a bit of a misnomer.
'They suggest a crown, orb and a sceptre like you would have in the Tower of London.
'They were, in effect, the regalia of the Order of St Patrick that happened to be the property of the crown, hence the name 'crown jewels'.'
The final episode of Legacy, which airs next Sunday, highlights four sites where portraits have helped preserve Irish history, including Glebe House and Gallery in Donegal, Kilkenny Castle, Áras an Uachtaráin and Dublin Castle. The disappearance of the jewels, which sparked a scandal more than a century ago, is examined in a new RTÉ documentary, titled Legacy.
In the programme on Dublin Castle, Mr Derham explains how each Viceroy of Ireland was entitled to wear the crown jewel regalia, which included three ornate pieces.
He said: 'There was a large eight-pointed diamond, ruby and emerald star that was worn kind of on the breast. There was a smaller oval diamond with a small diamond-crowned harp on top of it, which was hung around the neck.
'And then there was a larger golden oval with the insignia of St Patrick in the middle that hung on a large gold chain, kind of from shoulder to shoulder.'
When the jewels vanished, the scandal made international headlines and led to the resignation of the man in charge of them.
'It was a huge scandal at the time. Someone did resign, rather reluctantly – a gentleman called Arthur Vicars who was the Ulster King of Arms, who also had charge of the ceremonial life of the viceregal court and of the crown jewels,' said Mr Derham.
'And when he moved to a new office in 1907, his safe wouldn't fit into the new, purposely built strongroom, and so it was left, with his agreement, in the library of his new office – and it was from the safe in that library that they were discovered missing. He was ultimately made the fall guy.'
Mr Derham believes the jewels are worth an immeasurable sum if they have been kept intact.
He said: ''Priceless', I think, is probably the only word you could hit on that would be accurate. And the jewels are still out there.'
Legacy – The Art of the Portrait is on RTÉ One at 6.30 pm, June 1.
