Wall monument in Fethard

Inserted in the S wall of the aisle of the Augustinian abbey (TS070-040004-), towards the E end. This composite limestone monument (H 1.9m exclusing plaque; Wth 1.61m) consists of the Tobin heraldic achievement with supporting ovolo scrolls, which rests on a moulded plinth. Beneath the plinth there is a rectangular plaque (L 1.1m; H 0.4m) bearing a latin inscription in Black Letter script. The inscription, as transcribed by Brennan (1862-3, 146) reads: ORATE PRO ANIMABUS EDMONDI TOBIN DE LA BRISCELAGH GEN MARGARAE TOBIN UXORIS EJUS DEM THOMAE TOBIN FILII ET HAEREDIS IPSIUS ET JOANNE TOBIN ALS MARRENEL UXORIS IPSIUS THOMAE QUI HIC JACENT ET ME FIERI FECERUNT. ANNO DOMI 1634. BEAU MORTUI QUI IN DNO MORIUNTUR. HI QUAMBIS TUMULO SAXOQUE PREMENTE QUIESCANT, TU TAMEN HIS REQUIEM QUAM PETIERE BOLES. It has been translated by Knowles (1903, 117) as, 'Pray for the souls of Edmund Tobin of Brisclagh, Gentleman, and Margaret Tobin, his wife. Thomas Tobin, their son and heir, and Jane Tobin, alias Marrinel, the wife of Thomas, who are interred here, and by whom this mounument was erected, A.D. 1634'. The achievement shows impaled arms and two crested helmets with wreaths and mantling, all in high relief (Crotty 2012, 48). The shield, which is straight sided with an ogee base, has the arms of the Tobin on the dexter side, three oak leaves. In the centre is a crescent, the cadency mark of a second son (ibid.). One the sinister side are the arms of the Cahir branch of the Butler family, the chief indented with an added canton showing the figure of Christ on a cross Calvary (ibid.). This coat is also differenced with a crescent (ibid.). The dexter helmet carries the Tobin crest, a demi-lion holding an oak branch. The sinister helmet carries the Butler crest, a falcon rising from a plume of five ostrich feathers. Both crests, like the arms, are differenced with a crescent (ibid.). Below the shield is the name of Edmond Tobin. Just within the scrolls there are two small shields on either side surmounted by marigolds. The dexter shield shows three covered cups of Buter, with the initials I.B. below. The sinister shows a lion rampant crowned with a ducal coronet and overlaid by a bend which is itself charged with three escallop shells (ibid., 49). The initials below, I.M., may represent Joanna Marrinel (ibid.). The heraldic achievement is surmounted by a large moulded cornice on which rests a semi-circular open-fan device, surmounted by a squared pillar topped with ball and flanked by obelisks, again topped with ball, though only one survives. Described in detail by Crotty (2012, 47-50). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 3 March 2015