Pale faced horsemen from Asia were seen advancing from the East about 700 years B.C. Keltoi - the secret ones - spread across the Russian steppes and into Germany, France and Italy where they settled in tribal colonies.

Tall, blond, blue eyed and uniquely pale skinned, their restless nature saw many drift further west wards, colonising Britain and eventually Ireland, where the Atlantic ocean insured that they went no further.

Held in a misty obscure island, uncontaminated by a Roman presence and undisturbed by other invasions, the Celtic world flourished. Language, rituals, laws and sagas of a largely Eastern origin - adapted to the Western outpost to the extent that, even in the twelfth century A.D. ancient beliefs could still colour Christian thought, even among the dedicated Irish clergy, much to the irritation of the Popes in Rome.

The panel depicts the enthronement of a Celtic King. Parts of the elaborate ritual closely resemble similar ceremonies known in India until the eighteenth century. As absolute union between the King - a divine personage and the white mare, who represented the earth goddess, was essential to ensure that she, the all-powerful natural spirit, would smile on his reign. If crops were poor or if disease struck, the King was invariably held to account.

The ceremony therefore was of the most intense solemnity. Held in a sacred wood and presided over by the druid caste, who wait to robe the king and hand him his white wand, it was watched in awe by surrounding warriors.

On the upper border Celtic women soldiers, much feared by the Romans - flank a Celtic god statue, sitting in the lotus position. The brown bull and the white bull of Queen Maedb and her husband, confront each other. Cattle graze on summer pastures and in a boat armed with one oar and a bowl of porridge, a lone criminal faces the ultimate Brehon punishment.

The lower border shows scenes from early Christian Ireland, St. Brendan sailing to America, two bishops amuse one another, decorated gold chalice and book shrine, St. Bridget with her cross and on the door of Clonfert Cathedral evidence of the Celtic preoccupation with sacred heads.