The artefacts, which had been housed at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland since the early 20th century, include a painted wooden coffin containing the remains of a mummy, a set of limestone canopic jars, and pieces of Cartonnage.

This achievement marks the culmination of more than 18 months of intensive negotiations and collaboration between Egyptian and Irish authorities.

All final arrangements regarding this matter were concluded on the sidelines of President El-Sisi's recent visit to Dublin.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy expressed gratitude for the joint efforts that made this repatriation possible.

He praised the cooperation between Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy in Dublin, the Irish embassy in Cairo, and the UCC, describing this accomplishment as a significant step in strengthening cultural and academic ties between the two nations.

“The return of these priceless artefacts not only restores a part of Egypt’s legacy but also reinforces the shared respect for cultural heritage between Egypt and Ireland,” said Fathy.

Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), revealed that the artefacts were repatriated under a recent bilateral agreement between the SCA and UCC.

He pointed out that the collection had been acquired by the university between 1920 and 1930.

“All the recovered items have been transported to the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir for restoration in a step towards its display along with other repatriated artefacts in a special temporary exhibition within the coming period, providing the public with a glimpse into Egypt’s rich history and efforts being achieved to recover illegally smuggled antiquities out of their homeland,” Khaled said.

Shaaban Abdel-Gawad, Director-General of the Department of Antiquities Repatriation, hailed the achievement as a testament to Egypt’s unwavering commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

He explained that among the items is a vividly painted wooden coffin from the Saite Period, belonging to an individual named “Hor,” who held the title “Bearer of the Lotus”.

Inside the coffin, researchers discovered mummy remains, including teeth, believed to belong to Hor.

The canopic jars, made of limestone, date back to the 22nd Dynasty of the Late Period. They once housed the preserved organs of a priest named “Pa-Wer”, who carried prestigious titles such as “God’s Father” and “Guardian of the Fields of the God.”

Additionally, the collection features five colourful cartonnage fragments from the Greco-Roman period, which were traditionally used to encase mummies.