Font in Rathmore

Dopping specifically records the presence of the font at Rathmore fortified church (ME024-017001-) in his Visitation books (1682-5) (Ellison 1972, 12), but it is now reduced to the stem (diam. 0.38m; H 0.55m) of a highly decorated font that was displayed in the church (Leask 1933, 160-1). Its eight panels depict the baptism of Christ together with ecclesiastics and saints in ogee-headed niches (Roe 1968, 92-99). It was unlawfully removed in May 2013, but quickly recovered. It is not present at the moment while its future safety is considered, but a fragment of the bowl depicting two angles is attached to the N wall of the nave. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 June, 2014

The font stem at Rathmore was likely built in the 17th century and is associated with the fortified church in the area. Its survival reflects the historical continuity of Christian worship in the region, though its wider significance remains largely unrecorded.