Architectural fragment in Kilrush

On gently sloping ground on the floor of the Nuenna river valley, c. 200m N of the river course. In the grounds of Kilrush House. This carved stone, probably a corbel, is likely to have come from a nearby medieval church (KK013-011001-), now a grassed-over mound, c. 77m to the N. However, it could also have come from a tower house (KK013-012----) c. 80m to the SW or from another substantial medieval building (KK013-154----) c. 72m to the SE. A limestone carved stone which appears to be corbel (H 0.33m; Wth 0.27m; D 0.23m). A face is carved in false relief on the front of the corbel. It is very worn, however, it appears to be a woman as there is a distinct, thick band framing the side of the face and continuing below the chin, in the style of a barbette. She is possibly wearing some form of pill-box head dress and there is a suggestion of hair protruding on either side. She has oval-shaped eyes, quite a prominent nose and an open mouth with teeth barred. The neck has triangular-shaped carvings, perhaps representing some form of collar. See attached photograph KK013-011003-_01 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 28 September 2022