Armorial plaque (present location) in Unknown Townland

Rectangular slab (H 0.63m; Wth 0.80m) carved with the Fitzgerald coat of arms . It is inserted in in the N-most wall return of a semi-circular gate wall of 19th-century appearance, the entrance to a late 18th-century country house, Castle Lishen (CO006-020002-). It is unknown when exactly the gate was built or when the armorial plaque was inserted, but when the plaque was first recorded it was said to have originally been placed over the front door to the house (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 2, 110), but was then lying in the garden; it may have originally come from the adjacent tower house (CO006-020001-; see CO006-020004- for record of original location). The plaque is richly carved in relief with a shield bearing the Fitzgerald coat of arm, a hachured saltire cross, ornamented with six fleur-de-lis in between each arm. Above the shield is a helmet of 16th-century style, above which is a knight on horseback, dressed in 16th-century armour, including a similar helmet, and holding a sword pointing upward. Emanating from below the helmet, carvings of elaborate vine-like motifs cover the remaining of the plaque on either side of the knight and the shield. The plaque is also framed on both sides by a line of carved leaves and rosettes hanging from a tassel, while the base of the plaque is decorated with what appear to be snake-like creatures, one of each side of the shield.   Compiled by: Anne-Julie Lafaye