Stone head in Lorrha

One of three stone carvings (TN004-010030-/031-) that have been incorporated into the E gable of Lorrha Roman Catholic church located 12m to the N of the 13th century Dominican friary (TN004-010001-). This stone head is carved in relief and is located S of the porch entrance in the E gable of the R.C. church. This carved head appears to be that of a male with long cascading hair framing his face with evidence of a headband running across the forehead, oval shaped eyes, a triangular shaped nose and slit mouth. This carving along with two others (TN004-010030-/031-) probably came from the adjoining Dominican friary. The R. C. church is built on the footprint of the W range of the Dominican friary and may incorporate other medieval carved fragments in the fabric of the upstanding church which may be hidden by the external render of the R. C. building. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 02 March 2012

Likely dating to the early medieval period, the stone head may have originally been part of a high cross or ecclesiastical sculpture, reflecting the Christian heritage of the Lorrha area. Its incorporation into the church gable suggests a reuse of prehistoric or early Christian material in later religious structures.