Shone Apheaka Bowens Tomb — Ballyadams

In the N wall of Ballyadams Church (LA019-031001-) there is the Bowen monument. Erected in 1631 to Robert Bowen and his wife Alice Harpole by their son. (J.K.A.S. Vol. VII, 21). On it's South face is an arcade of four rounded arches containing four figures, two female two made in C17th costume and over them, on the archivolt faces is incised lettering. JOANE BOWEN YE 2D", 'MARGARET BOWEN', 'THOS. BOWEN YE 4', 'OLIVER BOWEN YE 3' (J.K.A.S. Vol. VII, 21). The spandrels between the arches are decorated with foliage motifs and flowers with the exception of the spandrel on the East end. On the East and West faces are two figures within semi-circular arches with the inscription THE. LA. ELLIS. BOWEN. WIFE TO SIR. S. JOHN BOWEN. THE ELDEST SON OF OLIVER (BOWEN THE 3) AN. (?) MORE THOMAS. BOWEN THE 4 MARGARET BOWEN BOWEN 10 (ANE THE 2) MARGERIE BOWEN. THE 3 ALLES. BOWEN. AN. SIXE. MORE. Originally on the covering slab of the tomb were the effigies of Robert Bowen and his wife. These are now destroyed. (J.K.A.S. Vol V11, 21). Situated above the altar tomb is a mural tablet flanked by two spreading consoles with voluted ends. They are decorated in low relief and bear the following inscription; 'AN. EPITAPH. ON. THE - DEATH. OF ROBERT: BOWEN: ESQUIRE IF TEARES. PREVENT NOT, EVERY READERS EYE MAY. WELL PERCEIVE, THAT IN THIS TOMB DOOTH LIE FRIENDS HOPE. FOES DREAD, WHOSE THRICE VICTORIOUS HAND CAIN'D LOVE, WROUGH. PEACE WITHIN THIS JOYFULL. LAND WHOSE WORTH DOOTH MOUNT ITSELFE ON ANGELS WINGS WHOSE GREAT DESCENT WAS FIRST FROM. ROYALL. KINGS WHOSE NEVER - DYING - VETUES LIVE, FOR WHY WHOSE FAME'S ETERNIZ;D, HE CAN NEVER DY'. Described in 1838 in the OS Letters as an old church measuring 'about sixty six feet long and eighteen broad. It consists of a nave and choir. The choir is twenty two feet in length. In this choir there is a monument to Robert Bowen and Allis Harpole, 1631, over which stood the figure of a mail clad warrior, now broken to pieces' (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 2). According to O'Hanlon this church was previously known as Kilmackeady which may have meant the 'Church of MacAedh' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 182). According to O'Hanlon 'The country traditions, regarding the cruelties practised by this family, against the native Irish, have caused this tomb to be pulled asunder, within the last century, and now its former characteristics are scarcely distinguishable. On the entablature were the Bowen's arms quartered with those of the Hartpole, and the crest is composed of those representing Bowen and Harpole; that is a helmet for the former, and a hart or stag for the latter. On the sarcophagus lay the effigies of Robert Bowen Esq., and Alice Harpole. Mr. Bowen was dressed in buff armour and morion, and Mrs. Bowen in the close dress of the times. In the front of the sarcophagus, under four distinct niches, were the figures of their four children, that is, Joan Bowen the 2nd, Margaret Bowen, Thomas Bowen the 4th, and Oliver Bowen the 3rd. At the foot end were Sir John Bowen the eldest son, Thela Ellis Bowen, wife to Sir John. At the head were Alles Bowen and six more, with Margaret Bowen the third. The names of all these were carved on the arches over their heads (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 182-3). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 07 December 2011