Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

This composite wall monument (Wth c. 7m; H 1.68-1.72m) spans the entire width of the N wall of the transept of the Dominican church (GA084-001014-). It appears to have been moved from its original location and reconstructed here. Its W end overlies a 13th/14th-century graveslab (GA084-001076-) and the NE wall of the transept has been obliquely cut away to accommodate its E end. Macalister (1913, 209) believed this was a series of three tombs: the W and central ones had three arches and the E one had two. The first two tombs were separated by a narrow pier while a wide pier separated these from the E tomb. Macalister’s (ibid., Pl. 1 and X b) ground plan and photograph reflect this lay-out. His photograph indicates that almost all of the arch stones and one pillar of W tomb had been removed. These have since been reinstated and a third arch has been inserted between the middle and E tomb. The tombs may have been originally located in the nave or chancel of the church (Mckeon 2009, 46). Another wall monument (GA084-001058---) has been inserted above the central tomb. (Bradley and Dunne 1992, 33)

The following images have been uploaded:
GA084-001073-_01.jpg - overall view of wall monument
GA084-001073-_05.jpg - graveslab (GA084-001076-) at base of W end of wall monument

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 12 November 2018

References

Bradley, J. and Dunne, N. 1992b Urban archaeological survey - county Galway. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1913 The Dominican church at Athenry. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 3, 197-222.

McKeon, J. 2009 The Dominican priory of Saints Peter and Paul, Athenry: High-medieval history and architecture. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 61, 24-56.