Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

On the N wall of the nave of Kilfenora church (CL016-015002-). A plain chest tomb surmounted by a plaque with an inscription in incised Roman capitals over which is the MacDonagh coat-of-arms elaborately sculptured and decorated with mouldings and obelisks. The inscription, in Latin, reads in part ‘Donaldus MacDonagh et uxor ejus Maria O’Conor sibi et suis ambobus posteris hunc tumulum fieri fecere An Dni 1685. Momento Mori.’ Which translates as ‘Donald MacDonagh and his wife Maria O’Conor caused this monument to be made for themselves and for their posterity, on both sides, AD 1685. Remember death. The rest of the Latin inscription translates as ‘A fine form, the good will of the people, youthful ardour and wealth have snatched from thee how to know what man is. After the man, a worm, after the worm foul smell and horror. Thus even man is turned into what is not a man. Thus the glory of this world passes away. Whoever thou art who shall pass by. Pause, read carefully, and lament. I am what thou wilt be, and have been what thou art, pray for me, I beseech thee.’ A son is buried in the same tomb. (Barry 1892, 38-9)

CL016-015016-_01.jpg attached.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 1 September 2014

References

Barry, J.G. 1892 County Clare. Kilfenora Churchyard. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 2, 38-40.