Inscribed stone (present location) in Athlone AND Bigmeadow

On display in Athlone Castle Museum. One of two stones (WM029-042089-) (dims. H 0.35m, Wth 0.46m, D 0.15m) removed from gateway to St. Peter's Port (see also WM029-042089-). The inscription reads 'WILL O' WISP AND JACK THE PRINTER'. Will O' Wisp and Jack the Printer refer to two prominent men with whom a man named Booth was in dispute. They were William Sproule, a Quaker merchant, and John Potts, a printer and owner of Saunders' newspaper. Booth owned the property and was otherwise known as 'Copper Fisted Jack', who levied a toll on all produce brought through the port. Stones probably date from the 18th century. Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 October 2013