Stone head in Croghan Demesne

Late medieval limestone head set into outbuilding of farmyard behind nineteenth century house that faces onto main road from Croghan to Rhode. Head appears to have chain mail and there are other medieval cut stone fragments incorporated into the fabric of the nineteenth century outhouse. This head along with the fragments may have come from nearby Croghan Castle (OF010-010003-), or from a second castle in the vicinity of this outhouse.. Beside the head there is datestone (OF010-057001-) with the initials T M (Thomas Moore) and the date 1681 carved onto its surface. This datestone may originally have come from Croghan Castle (OF010-010003-) or from a second castle in the vicinity of this outhouse. Finely carved head protruding from the external wall of an outhouse which is constructed from rubble of a medieval building of unknown origin. The head has bulging eyes, a stiff mouth, prominent eyebrows with broken chin. The top of the head is flat suggesting possible use as a corbel. To the right of the head on the wall there is a wall plaque with inscription which reads TM 1681. Outhouse is possibly built on the site of a castle owned by George Moore in 1598, the rubble of which was incorporated into the outhouse. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011