Stone head

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on the terrace on the S side of Coolatoor House (b. c. 1866, NIAH). An inscribed stone (WM031-007001----) is built into a wall at the E end of the house. An architectural fragment (WM031-007002-) and a sheela-na-gig (WM031-007003-) are reputed to have been situated at the house, although these are currently unlocated. Monument described in 1981 as a carved limestone bust of a female figure which was recovered some years ago in an overgrown rockery in the grounds of the house. Nothing else of its origins are known. The figure (H 0.57m; Wth 0.31m; T 0.28m) is carved in the round and was seemingly intended to be freestanding and upright. It is well carved with a very flat face and has a damaged nose. A dimple can be seen under her chin. The top of the dress is defined by a beaded border which falls on either side of the chest and is finished by a tassel. An open right hand extending from a thin arm, lies on the left breast. The lady wears a head-dress with a veil falling over the shoulders. The back & sides of the head-dress are carved with a foliage pattern. The base of the figure is roughly carved with an unfinished appearance. The stone appears to be of medieval date.
According to local information, Col. Upton was the former owner of the house and a well-known antiquarian. He had a large collection of medieval carved stones and graveslabs which he had collected during the early part of the 20th century. The grounds of the house are extensive, with very overgrown shrubberies and rockeries, etc., which could potentially conceal other items of interest from Col. Upton’s collection. In 1988 the current owner of the house did not know of the current whereabouts of the stone head (SMR file).

Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien.

Date of upload: 12 November 2019