A commemorative crown for Brian Boru is hoped to sell for about €1 million in aid of cancer research when it goes under the hammer in 2014.
The crown will be made of smelted donations of unwanted pieces of gold from the public.
The project is organised by Jewels for Cures, a voluntary agency donating all funds to Prof John Crown’s Cancer Clinical Research Trust at St Vincent’s hospital.
As well as the Irish public, Jewels for Cures will be asking the Irish diaspora and the royal houses of Europe to donate gold they don’t want in order to build the crown, which will be the first Brian Boru crown.
Precious jewels that are offered for the cause will be sold and auctions will be held at various events nationally, internationally and online.
The crown will form part of millennium celebrations of the Irish high king’s Battle of Clontarf, which took place in 1014.
Donations
Speaking at the launch, Alison McCormick of Jewels for Cures said that any donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference to the cause.
“We’re asking people to donate a single earring, the cufflink that has lost its mate, jewels that no longer have sentimental value, rings and bracelets,” she said,
“Through this we can raise vital funds for cancer research and celebrate one of the most iconic figures in Irish history.”