Crucifixion plaque in Friarsground

In a small side room/porch in Ballyhaunis friary church (MA093-063002-). Roughly rectangular limestone slab (H 0.76m; Wth 0.41, narrowing to 0.16m at top; T 0.07m) on which the crucified Christ is carved. The stone narrows at top to an almost triangular apex. The surface is roughly dressed, and the carving, executed in a naïve style, is in low or false relief. Christ’s body (H 0.56m) appears to conceal the shaft of the cross, which is not depicted. The horizontal bar of the cross is however visible, and Christ’s arms span its full width, hanging in a deep V-shape, the palm of each hand pieced by a nail. The eye is drawn to Christ’s head which is boldly carved. It is erect, with just a hint of a tilt to his right. The face is oval, ringed by strongly marked short radiating grooves, representing waves of hair or possibly the crown of thorns; the beard is delineated by a series of fine linear grooves and does not include a moustache. Three short curving grooves radiate from the left side of the head –possibly representing hair. The simple facial features comprise round eyes, a long straight nose and a deep horizontal groove for a mouth. Three horizontal bars indicated the loin cloth. The feet are set vertically, positioned side by side rather than overlapping. They reach the very base of the slab, and may be incomplete; at any rate, the toes and nail are not clear. The style of carving suggests that this slab dates to the Penal Era. Attached images: MA093-063007-_01.JPG Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 December 2022