What is recorded here

Concrete now holds the plaque above a castle entrance, but stone records a violent change from a cottage wall. Charles St. Lawrence and Elizabeth Plunkett marked their household in 1572, pressing family identity into building material. The plaque left Watermill cottage and entered the stable block, carrying a married name across Howth demesne. Its movement suggests the castle swallowed older domestic markers rather than preserving them separate.

An armorial plaque (DU019-001002-) was originally set into an external wall of Watermill cottage (DU019-001001-). The armorial plaque is now concreted into the northern façade of the stable block above an entranceway at Howth Castle. It shows the arms of the St. Lawrence family, Howth, 20th Baron of Howth and wife Elizabeth (Plunkett), the initials C.S. and E.P. and a date 1572 (Bowen 1963, 75-76). Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Updated by: Christine Baker Date of upload: 26 January 2015

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