Font in Killeshin

Located immediately W of Killeshin church (LA032-020002-) close to NW angle of church. A circular, granite font (diam. c. 0.8m) with cone shaped basin and aperture in the centre with a small hole on the rim of the font which may have been related to a cover. A narrow incised line visible halfway down runs around the outside of the font (Crawford and Leask 1925, 83-94; O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 257-64). According to Fitzgerald (1910, 199) 'formerly a bulb-shaped granite font lay sunk in the ground on the north-east side of the church (LA032-020002-) ruins; it is now placed at the western wall of the church. The interior of the bowl is cone-shaped, and of such rude workmanship that it strikes one it was intended to hold a metal vessel or was lined with lead. The aperture is in the centre; on the rim is a circular hole, and beside it a small socket 4½ inches [0.11m] long, which both probably had some connexion with the fittings of a lid or cover'. The font was described in 1925 as measuring '29 inches (0.73m) in diameter and 22 inches (0.55m) in height. It is undecorated except that the exterior is divided into three broad swelling bands, the funnel-shaped basin is unusual, its breadth and depth are alike 16 inches (0.4m). The base is hollowed and connected with the basin by a narrow aperture; a small socket, 1 inch (0.02m) in diameter and 2 inches (0.04m) deep, in the upper surface of the rim, probably held the hinge of a lid' (Crawford and Leask 1925, 94). LA032-020005-_05.jpg attached drawing of section of font at Killeshin taken from Crawford and Leask 1925, 93. 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. Updated by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 26 March 2015