Font (present location) in Foulkscourt

This medieval font from the abbey of Fertagh (KK008-047001-) is currently located in the RC church in Johnstown, c. 3km to the SSW of the abbey, where it is recorded as KK008-152001- . The limestone font (max. D 0.4m) is described by Pike (1989, vol. 4, 580-1) in a discussion of medieval fonts. The font has a circular bowl (max. D 0.24m; max. Wth 0.78m; internal Wth 0.615) which is lined by a lead bowl (T 0.03m). Externally the font is 16 sided, each side forming a separate decorated rectangular panel (H 0.24m; Wth 0.14-0.17m). The panels, with plain margins, are dressed with punch tooling and are decorated in raised relief with the following (in sequence): a cross; a three-light pointed window with switch-line tracery; a six-petaled flower motif; an ivy leaf; a sun? or crown of thorns? motif damaged by the insertion of a hook for the font lid with a horizontal interwoven rope motif below; a human head; a pointed geometric motif; four circles, two over two (upper two with two inner concentric circles, lower dexter with one inner concentric circle and lower sinister with a inner cross); an ivy leaf; an interlace motif; a geometric pattern; a four-light pointed window with switch-line tracery; two ivy leaves with stems intertwining; two ivy leaves with stems intertwining; a four-light pointed window with switch-line tracery and a geometric pattern. The bowl tapers towards the supporting pedestal, forming 16 chamfered tapering panels each dressed with punch tooling within plain margins. The pedestal is not original. See attached photographs: KK008-152001-_01 General view of font KK008-152001-_02 General view of font KK008-152001-_03 General view of font KK008-152001-_04 Overhead view of bowl of font KK008-152001-_05 Detail of panel on side of font KK008-152001-_06 Detail of panel on side of font KK008-152001-_07 Detail of panel on side of font Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 25 July 2018