Font (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

This record is for the present location of a font found during renovations to the floor of Kilballyowen church (CL065-071001-), near the village of Cross, Loop Head, Co. Clare (original location record CL065-071005-) and dedicated to St. John the Baptist. This richly carved limestone font is in storage in Clare Museum, Ennis. The font was donated in the 1960’s to the de Valera Library and Museum and was subsequently moved to Clare Museum as a result of flooding. Described by Higgins (1995, 29) as consisting of three pieces, joined with modern cement and repaired with plaster, it is now in two pieces, the bowl and shaft remaining cemented together. Westropp (1915, 354) suggests a date of 1460-80 and likens the carving to that on the Royal tomb in Ennis Friary (CL033-082015-). Higgins (ibid.) draws parallels with the tracery canopy under the crossing tower of the Friary (CL033-082016-). The moulded base (H 0.28m) is octagonal in plan and it and the lower third of the rectangular shaft are of a single piece (H 0.41m; Wth 0.52m; each face L 0.21m). The remainder of the panelled and carved shaft (H 0.37m) and the shallow basin stone (D 0.11-0.13m; Wth 0.35-0.37m; diam. 0.18-0.19m) with drain-hole and moulded corners form the second piece. The shaft has spirally fluted columns at the angles and a decorated panel on each face. Two panels have well-preserved foliage or trees. One panel depicts St John the Baptist wearing a long pleated robe and a cloak fastened with a six-petalled ring-brooch. The vestments are highly stylised and the cloak is gathered to the middle of the body where the saint holds a panel of lozenge-shaped form bearing a depiction of a lamb. The right hand is raised and holds a long staff with terminals of trifoliate form. The carved image of another person on the fourth panel is too defaced to be identified. (Westropp 1915, 353-7; Higgins 1995, 29-32)

CL033-172----_01.jpg attached (Photo: Westropp article 1915, opp. p. 354).
CL033-172----_02.jpg and CL033-172----_03.jpg attached.
CL033-172----_04.jpg attached (Photo: courtesy of Clare Museum, Ennis shows the two pieces placed together)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney

Updated by: Mary Tunney

Date of uploaded revision: 22 September 2014

References

Higgins, J. 1995 The medieval font from Kilballyowen, Co. Clare. The Other Clare 19, 29-32.

Westropp, T.J. 1915 Ancient remains on the west coast of County Clare. NMAJ 3, 344-62.