What is recorded here

John Sweetman’s coat of arms, dated 1580, was fixed into a window side in the oldest part of Castle Eve until 1886. The shield carried his initials and a divided design of ermine, chevron, fretty and an eagle, matching his monument in Newtown church. It now stands in Rothe House, Kilkenny, pulled from the ruins but still bearing the mark of the man who once claimed that stone.

Originally incorporated in a mural tower (KK027-024003-) at Castle Eve. Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 329), describes how, ‘Fixed into the side of one of the windows, in the most ancient part of the ruins, there was, till 1886, a slab bearing the coat of arms of John Sweetman, exactly as they are to be seen on his monument in Newtown church, viz.: party per pale; dexter, ermine, a fesse, in base a chevron, for Sweetman; sinister, also divided per pale, fretty, an eagle displayed. Towards the top of the shield are the initials I.S. for John Sweetman, and the date 1580’. This coat of arms is currently in Rothe House, Kilkenny (Salter 2004, 64). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 28 March 2023

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.