An ancient piece of Bronze Age jewellery thought to be more than 3,000 years old is being guarded today after a man walked into a Cork jewellers and asked what it was.
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The man took the ribbon torc - traditionally worn as a child's necklace or upper arm band - to an expert in Cork for an evaluation.
But Mr Tim Keane, owner of Michel Jewellers, immediately knew he had stumbled on a priceless historic find. "It was like a unicorn walking through the door, I was so excited," he said.
The piece is at the secret location in Cork where it was discovered.
A preliminary assessment by UCC Antiquity Professor Peter Woodman confirmed it was a Bronze Age piece. Ms Mary Cahill of the National Museum is expected to view the specimen later today
It was identified as a ribbon torc, made in Ireland in the second half of the bronze age in a time called the Ornament Arising period, over 3,000 years ago.
The man is not being named, although Mr Keane described him as "honourable" for handing in the piece and not selling it for a massive price on the black market. "He is not running or hiding it - he wants to do the right thing," he said.
The State is entitled to keep the treasure under Irish law, but in most cases the finder is given a reward depending on its value.