Tomb - effigial (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Bradley et al. (1986, vol. 1, 80), a 16th-century limestone knightly effigy was moved from Old Kilcullen (KD028-049012-) to a 19th-century church in a graveyard (KD029-011004-) in Ballymore Eustace. The slab, carved in high relief with the figure of a knight, is believed to represent Sir Oliver FitzEustace. The head is on a cushion and the feet rest on an animal. The right arm lies on his breast and the left is extended, lying across a sword. The knight is represented as armed, in a long hauberk (coat) of mail with short sleeves and with a mail collar attached. The bascinet (helmet) has a visor and there is a crest, possibly a stag couchant, on the forehead (Hunt 1974, 77, 153, Fig. 142). Hunt (op. cit. 153) considers that the effigy, ‘represents indifferent journeyman’s work, but is said to have been “restored” in the nineteenth century.’

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 30 August 2013

References

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