Architectural fragment in Moanmore

Two churches are depicted standing in the N quadrant of Castleisland graveyard on the 1841 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Only the C. of I. church dedicated to St. Stephen is depicted on the revised editions of the OSi maps. The W tower of the ruins of St. Stephen's church represents the remains of the medieval church [KE040-027----] of Castleisland. According to Lewis (1837, 288) St. Stephen's C. of I. church consisted of; 'the nave [KE040-027----] of a former structure, with the belfry thickly covered with ivy; there is a neat mural monument to some of the Meridiths of Dicksgrove and on the south side of the exterior is a small sculptured head supposed to represent that of St, Nicholas, probably the patron saint. The edifice has been thoroughly repaired, for which purpose the Ecclesiastical Commisioners granted £290'. Stone head described by Harbison (1973,9) as follows; 'Built into the south wall of the roofless part of the church of Ireland church in Castleisland is a sphinx like human head carved from a rectangular block of limestone. The features of the face are not well preserved, but one can still see its small mouth, puffed cheeks and the ears, which are placed at either end of the forehead, giving the impression that the sculptor wanted to show the face and the sides of the head all in one plane. It may also be that he wanted room to be able to show more clearly that the back of each ear was being bitten by a monster. That on the right side of the head is a quadruped prancing downwards but with its head apparently reaching it at right angles to its body to bite at the right ear, though it may be that it is simply turning its head backwards. That on the other side has the body of a fish, with its tail beneath the chin of the face, and its back bristling with fins; it has a dragon's head with ears and fierce teeth. The body below the face is indicated by lines emanating diagonally from the chest to either side of the face. While the scene could represent man being tempted by the devil, it is equally likely to depict the horrors of hell, in which the body is to be imagined as being constantly devoured by devils, who are shown in the form of strange end fabulous animals. If this interpretation be correct, the lines of the body may be meant to indicate a body in the course of decomposition. They could, of course, be simply a stylised representation of ribs. The head certainly seems to be Romanesque in inspiration, whatever about date, but it was probably carved some time in the twelfth century. A similar motif is also found at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow, and at Dysert O'Dea, Co. Clare'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 April 2022