Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

Located in the church of Sligo Dominican friary (SL014-064008-), set in the N wall of the nave.
A canopy tomb, dated 1506, erected for members of the O’Crean family. The O’Creans were a wealthy merchant family from Donegal, who came to Sligo in the late 15th century, and became patrons of the friars. This tomb is typical of the period, and a similar example can be found in Strade Dominican friary (MA070-067003-) in Co. Mayo.
It is comprised of a tall, pointed canopy arch (H c. 4m) with elegant, finely carved tracery, only the upper section of which survives (H c. 4m), which encloses a chest tomb. The front panel (Wth 2.56m; H 1.20m; D 0.68m) of the tomb is carved with a row of nine religious figures, within miniature quatrefoiled ogee-headed arches framed by crocketed pinnacles. The ogees are richly decorated with vine leaf carvings. The central figure is Christ on the cross. The figures arrayed on Christ’s left are (L to R): St Dominic; St Catherine of Alexandria, robed and crowned, with a sword in her right hand and holding a circle against her breast, identified as her wheel; a female figure in a long belted gown carrying a staff, possibly representing a pilgrim; and the Virgin. To the right of Christ are: St John the Apostle; St Michael the Archangel, with his raised sword and shield; St Peter the Apostle, holding the keys to Heaven; and the figure of a bishop holding a processional cross, his hand raised in benediction. Above the figures, directly beneath the slab of the tomb chest, is a Latin inscription, which reads: ‘Here lies Cormac O'Craian and McSehon young Faraengasa his wife, the year 1506 (MCCCCCCVI)’ (Wood-Martin 1889, 70). Set in the back wall of the canopy is an armorial stone (SL014-065043-), which is a later insertion.

Attached images:
SL014-065027-_01.JPG O'Crean canopy tomb
SL014-065027-_02.JPG carved front panel of tomb
SL014-065027-_03.JPG carved figures (L side)
SL014-065027-_04.JPG carved figures (R side)

Compiled by: Anne-Julie Lafaye

Date of upload: 7 May 2020

References

Wood-Martin, W.G. 1889 History of Sligo, county and town, from the accession of James I to the revolution of 1688. Dublin. Hodges Figgis.