A printed copy of Jonathan Swift's literary classic Gulliver's Travels - complete with hand-written alterations by the author - was stolen during an armed robbery at a library in the North yesterday.
Two men burst into Armagh public library, held a gun to the head of a 20-year-old an assistant and tied her up. They systematically smashed glass cases containing literary and other treasures from one of the finest collections of Irish artefacts.
The librarian, Mr Harry Carson, said the items stolen were "irreplaceable". He estimated the robbers' haul to be over £100,000. He said Swift's 1726 work was valued at £30,000 - partly because this original printed manuscript contained amendments in the author's own hand.
The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, said he was heartbroken by the "devastating blow".
"Part of our heritage has gone. I would assume that if it is a very professional job as it seems to have been, there's a market ready to receive these articles. They knew what they were going to take and made a beeline for them."
Other items taken include two silver maces, worth £25,000 each, an ancient miniature version of the Koran, and a 1611 Geneva Bible.
The original print of Gulliver's Travels was acquired earlier this century, Mr Carson said. It is believed Swift gained the inspiration for the powerful satire while visiting south Armagh.
Following the robbery the men escaped on foot towards the Shambles area of the city.