Font (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

In the OPW store, Kilkenny (Kilkenny depot stone carving number: KD013). Possibly from Kells church (KK027-029009-), Co. Kilkenny, though according to Clyne (2007, 157-8) the medieval font currently in St Mary's church, Inistioge is almost certainly from the parish church at Kells Priory.
A piece of the side of a sandstone font or stoup (diam. c. 0.5m; surviving arc L 0.2m; H 0.3m; T 0.07m; int. H 0.25m) surviving from moulded rim (H 0.03m) to flat stepped base (Wth 0.09m; T 0.05m). It is decorated in false relief with a four-leaf foliage motif springing from a stalk, with a wide curving band beneath and the suggestion of another stalk protruding from the base of the band. Stylistically this dates to the 13th/14th century

See attached:
KK019-026378-_01 (photograph by Chris Corlett)

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 25 January 2023

References

Clyne, M. 2007 Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne. Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Dublin.