What is recorded here

Half a metre of grassed spoil circles the base of a mortared stone chamber in Rossalia, County Clare, where a conjoined-capital plaque still begs mercy for IOHN CORNYN and MARY M'NEMARA in 1750. A moonlike face is carved into the east wall, watching the path toward a nearby holy well where a stone head from the Comyn family was once carried. The chamber is small enough to touch on all sides, yet it holds two names, a date and a face that seems to listen back.

A subrectangular mortared stone structure (L 1.6m; Wth 1.5m; H 1.6m) with an inscribed plaque and a carving of a moonlike face (CL003-021005-) on the E side. According to Westropp (1893-4) the memorial plaque (0.4m x 0.5m) reads 'O LORD IHSVS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON US PRAY FOR THE SOVLES OF IOHN CORNYN AND HIS WIFE MARY M'NEMARA 1750'. The letters are conjoined capitals in false relief. According to Coffey (1995, 16-17) this is a memorial to the Comyn family and a stone head from it was removed to the holy well (CL003-021001-) c. 20m to the SE. The structure stands on a circular rough stone plinth which projects c. 0.5m from each side of the monument. Spellissy (1987, 163) and Coffey (1995, 16) imply that this memorial is built on a fulacht fia (CL003-021003-) but on inspection in 1997 this was found to be a low grassed-over area of spoil (Wth 2m; H 0.3-0.4m) visible around the monument from NW to SE. The following images have been uploaded: CL003-021004-_01.jpg View of the leacht cuimhne from the SSW CL003-021004-_02.jpg View of the moon-like face from S CL003-021004-_03.jpg View of the leacht cuimhne from S CL003-021004-_04.jpg View of the memorial plaque from S Revised by: Mary Tunney Date of revision: 31 July 2019

This site is a memorial cairn associated with the memory of Rossalia, possibly a local figure or saint; the moonlike face carving may indicate a connection to ancient pagan or pre-Christian traditions. The structure reflects a blend of historical commemoration and possible ritual significance.

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