The very beautiful and unusual shamrock single-decade rosary was substituted for the full length rosary beads in order to avoid detection by oppressors while in prayer during the penal period in Ireland. It is generally referred to as the single-decade or penal rosary because of its association with the Penal Laws of the time. It's 9 inches long and includes a Celtic cross. The Irish shamrock emblem is impressed upon each oval ceramic bead. Made in Ireland.