Tomb - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

In a small side room/porch in Ballyhaunis friary church (MA093-063002-).
This tomb or altar dated 1739 was commissioned by Archbishop Bernard O’Gara, of Tuam, grandson of Fergal, the patron of the Four Masters, as a memorial for his father and his family.
The limestone tomb (overall H 1.46m) consists a horizontal table or upper element (L 1.38m; Wth 0.87m; H 0.31m), which oversails a square block (L 0.96m; Wth 0.63m; H 0.56m), with a dedication inscribed on one face, which in turn rests on a moulded pedestal (H 0.31m),
The finely carved six line inscription reads:
Pray for Y souls of
Charlis O Gara and Fa
mily for whom this
Tomb was made by his
Son Ber. Ar. Of Tuam
AN. DM. 1739
Centrally positioned above the inscription are the letters I H S. A simple cross rises from the centre of the letter H, and is flanked by the letters INRI. These are incorporated into a decorative band (Wth 0.1-0.12m) of simple scroll motif which surrounds the dedication.

The tomb was used as an altar in a thatched Penal chapel that Archbishop O’Gara established in the friary church, concealed behind the tall roofless gable of the ruined church (MacLeod 1947, 132).

Attached images:
MA093-063005-_01.JPG Tomb/altar
MA093-063005-_02.JPG Detail of inscription

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 7 December 2022

References

MacLeod, C. 1947 Medieval statues from the 17th century. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 77, 121-133