Armorial plaque (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

This armorial plaque is on display on the ground floor of the Kinsale Museum, which is situated in the old Market House (CO112-034007-). In recent years it was on display, with another armorial plaque (CO112-034010-), for some time in the Desmond Castle (CO112-034006-) nearby. According to local information, both were originally built into the Cork Gate of Kinsale, which was part of the town defences (CO112-034002-). This gate was demolished by 1805 and the plaques were retrieved and kept for a time at Charles Fort (CO125-007----). This, the smaller of the two plaques, is rectangular (H 0.58m; Wth 0.6m) but has a small rectangular projection (H 0.07m; Wth 0.21m) in the centre of its top to accommodate the crest. The arms are those of Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland and Knight of the Garter, shown quarterly of eight, with the Sidney arms, a pheon (an arrowhead), in the top left quarter. The arms are on a heater-shaped shield encircled with the garter, on which is carved the royal motto (HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE). There is a helmet and mantling above the garter and the Sidney crest, a porcupine, on the projecting portion of the plaque. There is a small Tudor rose in the bottom left corner and the date 1576, with foliage ornament continuing across the base of the plaque. Clearly the Cork Gate was either entirely rebuilt or extensively repaired by or at the instigation of Sidney in 1576. The carving on the plaque is in relief.

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009).

Date of upload: 22 December 2009