Another relic held in reverence for swearing on by an accused person
is St. Finian’s Dish. This was found about one hundred and fifty years
ago, buried in the ruins of an old abbey. It is of silver with stones
set in it, which, the people say, are the eyes of Christ looking at
them while they swear. And when the dish is shaken a rattling noise is
heard, which they believe is made by the Virgin Mary’s bones that are
enclosed therein.
Should a false oath be taken on the relic, the perjurer will at once
be stricken by disease, and die before the year is out. And so great
is the terror inspired by this belief, that men have fainted from fear
when brought up to swear on it. This is done by placing the hand on the
cross that is engraved in the centre of the dish, while the two eyes of
Christ are fixed on the swearer who comes for clearance from guilt.
* * * * *
The _Ghar-Barra_, or Crosier of St. Barry, is also a holy relic once
overlaid with gold, on which it was the custom to take a clearing
oath; as the people held it in great reverence, and nothing was more
dreaded than the consequence of a false oath on the _Ghar-Barra_. Once
a man who swore falsely thereon had his mouth turned awry, and it so
remained to his life’s end, a proof of the saint’s hatred for the sin
of perjury. The relic is kept covered carefully with green cloth, and
whoever is brought to take a clearing oath thereon must first lay down
a small piece of silver for the guardian of the shrine.