Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated under the S arch of the tower of Ennis Friary (CL033-082001-). A pointed limestone arch of openwork flame-shaped tracery of the 15th century which may have been part of an ornate tomb. It is supported on moulded chamfered jambs which incorporate a figurative panel. Both panels (H c. 0.4m; Wth c. 0.25m) are rectangular with figures carved in false relief under pointed crocketed niches. On the E side is a bishop holding a cross-staff and on the W side the seated figure of the Virgin and Child. A mason’s mark consisting of a triskele of leaves in a circle is visible on the E face of the Virgin and Child panel. The tomb may originally have been sited on the W wall of the transept (Ó Dalaigh and Gilmore 1996, 22). (Westropp 1895, 152-3; Hunt 1974, vol. 1, 127; vol. 2, pl. 246-7; Bradley, Halpin and King 1988, 72-3; Ó Dálaigh and Gilmore 1996, 20-24)

CL033-082016-_01.jpg, CL033-082016-_02.jpg and CL033-082016-_03.jpg attached.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Date of upload: 19 March 2014

References

Ó Dálaigh, B. and Gilmore, H. 1996 Canopied wall tomb of Ennis Friary 1460-70. The Other Clare 20, 20-24.

Hunt, J. 1974 Irish medieval figure sculpture 1200-1600, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish University Press.

Westropp, T. J. 1895 Ennis Abbey and the O'Brien tombs. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 25, 135-55.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H.A. 1988 Urban archaeological survey - county Clare. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.