Armorial plaque in Fethard

Towards the western end of the front façade of the 17th-century almshouse (TS070-040003-). Described in detail by Crotty (2012, 16018), an archievement of arms (H 0.72m; Wth 0.67m) in limestone in false relief, recessed within a moulded square frame (H 0.95m; Wth 1.03m; D 0.12m). The shield is straight-sided with rounded lower corners and a simple pointed base (ibid.). It is divided per pale (vertically), the dexter side showing an ermine field and a chief charged with two mullets for Everard while the arms of Roche, three roaches naiant (shown horizontally) appear on the sinister (ibid.). The crest is a pelican wounding itself to feed its three chicks, the crest wreath above the helmet doubling as a nest (ibid.). The mantling is formed of two large, multi-lobed billows at either side, the lower one terminating in a heavy tassel (ibid.). The motto, on a scroll in low relief, reads as, VIRTUS IN ACTIONE CONSISTAT, which translates as virtue consists in action (ibid., 17). The initials I E and A R appear in a recessed panel on the lower portion of the inner fame, indicating that the arms are those of John Everard and Amy Roche (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 11 March 2015