Armorial plaque (present location) in Ballyconra

One of three plaques which Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 317-19) noted were affixed to the walls of the early 18th-century Ballyconra House, which stands on or incorporates 'old Ballyconra House' (KK004-024001-). A 16th-century armorial plaques located above the rear doorway. It is described by Carrigan as being 'a small rectangular slab bearing a shield divided per pale, with the dexter side divided quarterly, and the sinister charged with the arms of the Fitzpatricks of Upper Ossory, viz., a saltire, on a chief three fleurs-de-lis; across the top of the slab is the following in relief: "E. M. 15 88 G. F. M." that is, E[dmund, Lord] M[ountgarret], 1588 G[rainia] F[itzpatrick, Lady] M[ountgarret]. Where this tablet was first set up is unknown'. The other two plaques are of 18th-century date and include the lintel over the present front door which bears an inscription with the date 1724, and the armorial plaque over the front door which according to Carrigan (ibid.) bears the date 1735. It is possible that the armorial plaque came from the multi-period Balleen Castle (KK009-037001-), a principal residence of the Mountgarret family. See attached photographs: Kk004-024----_01 Location of armorial plaque Kk004-024----_02 Kk004-024----_03 Kk004-024----_04 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 10 July 2018