Wall monument in Fethard

Inserted in the S wall of the nave of the Augustinian abbey (TS070-040004-), towards the E end. This rectangular limestone slab (L 1.56m; H 0.74m) has a border around the edge and on a sunken panel within, taking up most of the slab, there is an inscription in latin, in Black Letter script, with a heraldic shield on the dexter portion. The inscription was transcribed by Brennan (1862-3, 147) as: HIC JACENT RICARDUS WALE DE RATHKYNNY GENEROSUS ET CATHERINA WALE ALIAS CARRAN FILIA MATHIAE CARRAN DE MOBARNANE EJUS UXOR QUAE HOC MONUMENTUM SIBI ET HAEREDIBUS MAJORIBUS DE CORPORE EORUM ET PARENTIBUS IPSORUM QUE PRAESENTIBUS FIERI FECERUNT. QUORUM ANIMABUS ORATE AD DOMINUM DATUM ULTIMO FEBRUARII SALUTIS 1635. It has been translated by Knowles (1903, 121) as, 'Here lie Richard Wale of Rathkenny, gentleman, and his wife Catherine Wale, née Carran, daughter of Malachy Carran of Mobarnan, who erected this monument for themselves, their offspring, male, and their descendants. Pray for the repose of their souls. Erected the last day of February in the year of Salvation 1635'. The shield is straight-sided with a strongly ogival base (Crotty 2012, 54). The arms on the dexter side are those of the Wale or Wall, a lion passant gardant in clief and three crosses patée below (ibid.). The arms of Carran on the sinister are three lions passant, however, erroneously the sculptor has also included the crest, a swan, and crest-wreath, into the upper part of the field (ibid., 55). Beneath the respective sides of the shield are the initials R.W. and C.C. Described in detail by Crotty (2012, 54-6). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 17 January 2012