Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

Inserted in the internal face of the N wall of the N transept of the Augustinian abbey (TS070-040004-). The limestone composite monument consists of a plain entablature of architrave, frieze and moulding. Beneath which, within a frame on either side, are two imposts on which rests a rounded arch enclosing a sunken panel with a long inscription, the whole resting on a plain plinth. Within the spandrels of the rounded arch there are two shields, the dexter shield a saltire, while the sinister shield is that of the Dunboynes, described below. Crotty (2012, 64) notes that these shields have been transposed in error, the husband’s arms normally appearing on the dexter side. The latin inscription has been transcribed by Brennan (1862-3, 146) as: ANTIQVVM HOC MONVMENTVM ILLVSTRISSIMORVM BARONVM DE DVNBOYNE NOVA HAC FABRICA RESTAVRAVIT D. ELLINA GERALDINA COMITIS DESMONIAE FILIA DOMINA DE DVNBOYNE MARITO SVO PERDILECTO DEMONDO BVTLERO D. BARONI DE DVNBOYNE OVI OBIJT 17 MARTIJ 1640. EPITAPHJVM. HIC SITVS EST DEMONDVS ID EST SVB MARMORE MVNDUS MONDVS INEST ISTO TOTVS VBI ISTE JACET. Knowles (1903, 135-6) translates this as, 'This ancient Monument of the most illustrious Barons of Dunboyne was restored to its present state by Dame Ellen Geraldine Lady Dunboyne, daughter of the Count of Desmond, in memory of her husband, Edmund Butler, Lord Baron of Dunboyne, who died the 17th of March, 1640. Epitaph. Here lies Edmund, under the cold marble pure and undefiled, My whole world lies beneath where he sleepeth'. Above the entablature there is a contoured heraldic plaque enclosed by a moulded pediment, now broken. It is decorated with Edmund Dunboyne's arms (Crotty 2004, 155), similar to one within the abbey church (TS070-040070-). Crotty (2004, 152-6) describes the arms as being quartered, the first and fourth quarters are the arms of the Dunboyne branch of the Butler family - a chief indented charged with three golden escallops or scallop shells. The second quarter shows three covered cups and the third quarter shows the arms of Petyt, a fesse or horizontal stripe. The shield is held by two supporters, a lion gardant and a horse. The shield is surmounted by a tilting helm with mantling. The Butler crest is shown as a falcon rising from a plume of ten ostrich feathers (Crotty 2012, 64). It rests on a crest-wreath, the twisted skein of silk which is often found covering the junction of the helmet and crest. A scroll under the arms bears the motto: TIMOR DOMINI FONS VITAE meaning the fear of the Lord is the fountain of life. Described in detail by Crotty (2012, 63-5).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 3 March 2015

References

Crotty, G. 2012 Heraldic memorials in Fethard. Fethard. Fethard Historical Society.

Crotty, G. 2004 The Dunboyne Arms on the bridge at Holy Cross. Boherlahan-Dualla Historical Journal, 150-58.

Knowles, Rev. J. A. 1903 Fethard: its abbey, etc. Dublin. James Duffy and Co.

Brennan, J. 1862-3 Proceedings. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 7, 146-8.