The Irish penal rosary is a single-decade rosary used during the penal times in Ireland, when the practice of the Catholic faith was forbidden in Ireland. The penal rosary allowed Catholics to pray with less fear of being detected, as it was easily hidden.

The crucifix has different symbols of the Passion of Christ: a hammer for the nails of the cross, a halo for the Crown of Thorns, a jug representing the Last Supper, cords which symbolize the scourging of Christ, the spear which pierced Christ's side, and three nails used to nail Christ to the cross. 

The crucifix would be hidden inside the sleeve or palm, while the ring would be placed over the thumb as the first decade of the rosary was recited. The ring would then be placed over the next finger as the next decade was spoken until the five decades were completed.