A medieval well excavated at Caherduggan Castle for Cork County Council had previously produced what appeared to be a complete leather belt decorated with metal studs. Following conservation, those studs were revealed as hinged heraldic shields, transforming the object into one of the most remarkable surviving secular medieval leather finds encountered by the company.

The leather belt following its discovery by Hubert Ficner in the Caherduggan Castle well

After conservation by Susannah Kelly of UCD, the belt was passed to leather specialist John Nicholl for analysis. Its condition and quality surpassed expectations and it clearly represented a museum-quality object.

A detail shot showing the stunning condition of the belt, replete with hinged heraldic motifs (Photo: John Nicholl)

The hinged shields appear to carry a Lion Rampant motif. Initial analysis suggested the object could be a scabbard belt dating to the fourteenth or fifteenth century, although this interpretation remained provisional. The buckles had been cut down and reused, showing the object's complex history.

One side of the Caherduggan belt showing the buckle and heraldic motifs (Photo: John Nicholl)

It was not yet clear whether the heraldic symbols represented a specific noble affiliation or were purely decorative. Further leather and heraldic analysis was expected to clarify the belt's date, function and ownership.

The other side of the belt with the second buckle and full view of the hinged heraldic motifs (Photo: John Nicholl)