What is recorded here

Kilnanare church in County Kerry once wore a carved cleric above its south window, his old-fashioned wig and modest neck apparel marking him below bishop rank. The masonry collapsed, stealing the head from sight, yet the carving still hints at a local priest proud enough to be remembered in stone.

One of three architectural fragments (see KE047-044004-, KE047-044008-) recorded from Kilnanare church (KE047-044002-). A 'head with an old fashioned wig' which was over the window in the S wall of the church was described in the 1840s (OSL, 200). Harbison (1973, 14) noted that the 'ecclesiastical apparel ... around the neck' suggests that it represents a cleric but one of a lesser status than the bishop. Harbison also noted that the hairstyle is 'of a type common towards the end of the fourteenth century or circa 1400' (ibid.). The masonry over the window has collapsed and the present location of this architectural fragment is not known. Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork. Date of upload: 31 January 2011

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