282 THE SHRINE OF ST. PATRICK'S BELL.
prayer is also asked for Cudulig O'Jnmauien
the artificer who did the work. As long as the shrine lasts and as
human beings possess a love of the beautiful the request of Cudulig
will be answered in the admiration which all beholders will freely give
to the work of his hands.
Domhnall
the King is famous in the Annals as being " the most distinguished of
the Irish for personal form, family, sense, prowess, prosperity and
happiness, for bestowing of jewels and food upon the mighty and the
needy." He died after a reign of twenty-seven years — a splendid
personage evidently, and one who might have caused the beautiful shrine
to be made.
The
O'Maelchallans appear to have kept their trust for generations; but
from some reason now undiscoverable in 1356 the Bell of Saint Patrick
was kept by Solomon O'Mellan after whose death it again reverted to the
former keepers. These enjoyed certain lands by right of their charge
which were situate in the county of Tyrone near Stewartstown and were
called
