Wall monument in Abington

The present location of a 17th century memorial belonging to Dulamus Barry has not been identified. This memorial was located in the church of Owney Abbey (LI014-014002-) which may have stood on the site of the present graveyard (LI014-014006-). In 1907 Seymour recorded the location of this stone which he stated were situated 'In the graveyard (LI014-014006-) adjoining the ruins there are some interesting stones, which lie along the side nearest the mound (LI014-014011-) and the ruins. Lying near a modern white marble tombstone is the Barry stone mentioned by Dyneley. Lying beside this stone, is another carved slab which may have formed part of the same tomb. It has upon it in high relief our Lord on the Cross, and on either side a draped figure, representing the Virgin and St. John' (Seymour 1907, 362-3). This latter fragment which may have formed part of the Barry tomb surround is now located beside the mass rock at Cappercullen where it has been built into the fabric of a modern stone shelter. This monument may have been the work of Patrick O'Kerin, son of Walter O'Kerin who belonged to O'Kerin school of monumental sculpture in the Ossory region in late 16th and early 17th century (Phelan 1996, 167; Loeber 1981, 287, Plate XI). This memorial was drawn by Thomas Dineley between 1675-80, see attached image of drawing taken from Loeber (Loeber 1981, Plate XI, NLI Ms 392). Loeber suggested that the cut limestone often referred to as marble for the memorials in Abington graveyard came from quarries in the barony of Clanwilliam (Loeber 1981, 278). The marble quarry (LI023-339----) of Caherline and Ballyhobin mentioned in the Civil Survey of 1654-56 may have supplied the stone for these memorials (Simington 1938, 74). The Barry monument was described in 1681 by Thomas Dineley as 'being of the mural and table forms combined on it is a shield bearing the arms Barry (apparently of six), argent and gules, a crescent for difference with the date 1633. The crest is rudely drawn, but resembles a castle, possibly the Barry crest - out of a carte argent a wolf's head sable. What is wrote in this last monument is all in Roman Capitalls. It is erected on the left hand, in a Chappel going up to ye Altar of ye Abbatial Church. Inscription on the Barry monument: "NOBILIS ADMODUM DULAMUS BARRY / IN HONOREM SUORUM PARENTUM SUI IPSIUS / UXORIS JOANNAE BOURCK ET FILIORUM/ SUORUM HOC SEPULCHRUM FIERI CURAVIT./ ANTIQUA GENITUS BARII DE STIRPE DULAMUS / QUIQUE APOLLINEA DOCTUS IN ARTE VIGET / QUIQUE FIDE PLENUS NUSQAM LANGUENTIBUS AEGRIS / DEFUIT ET PATRIAM QUALIBET AUXIT OPE / HAEC PIUS EXTINCTIS MONUMENTA PARENTIBUS AFFERT / QUAE SIBI QUAEQUE DEIUSINT [SIC] MONUMENTA SUIS / TU QUI CERNIS OPUS MORTIS MEMOR ESTO FUTURAE / DIC PRAECOR [HAC VI]VANT QUI TUMULATUR HUMO". This last Monument and Inscripcon are seen in the little Chappell without the West end of the Abby of Owhny, or Anthony's Abby' (Shirley et. al. 1865, 280). The translation of this inscription reads as follows; 'The very noble Donal Barry caused this Monument to be erected in honour of his Parents, of himself, of his wife Joanna Bourke, and their sons. Donal, born of the Ancient Race of Barry, who flourished learned in Apollo's Art, and being full of faith never failed to succour the infirm and the sick ; and served his country with all his might ; he duteously erects this Monument to his deceased Parents, that it may serve also as a tomb for himself and afterwards for his children. Do thou who viewest this work be mindful of approaching death. Pray, I beseech you, that they may live who are buried in this earth' (Barry 1890, 50). In 1865 the memorial was described as following; 'In a mound of rubbish, my brother thinks that portions of some of the other monuments might be found, as he remembers, on a small portion of it being dug, the two little pillars represented in the drawing of the Barry mausoleum were found, quite in good preservation. He was a few years ago looking for a portion of the Barry monument, and a richly carved stone, both of which he had seen used as head stones; but the churchyard had become so overgrown with grass or weeds, that he could not find them, but he and I both perfectly remember them there' (Shirley et. al. 1865, 277-78). Seymour described these fragments as following; 'two curious figures' 'were dug out of the mound (LI014-014011-) outside the graveyard, and that they formed part of the Barry mausoleum. They represent nude, armless, female figures in very high relief, and appear to be copies of Sheela-na-gigs intended by the sculptor to be placed on each side of a tomb'. In 1908 Barry (1908, 73) photographed the armorial stone and described it as following; 'Three bars gemelle gules and in chief a crescent azure for difference." When I first saw this stone in 1877, it was fixed as an altar-tomb, and had the finely-carved slab, accurately described by Mr. Seymour, fixed at the head of it, and the two curious female figures on pillars at each side. I was informed by an old man named Hayes that these figures have been removed to Clonshavoy House, with other carved stones; but, as they "ever and always" formed part of the Barry tomb, in which he was interested, he brought them back and re-erected them in situ himself'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien and Matt Kelleher Date of upload: 30 June 2017