Stone head in Ardfinnan

On the W side of Ardfinnan bridge (TS088001002-) at its N end. The sculpted head was embedded in the masonry of the mill (TS088-001003-) and was most likely on its E wall as there was a tradition (particularly among the women of the district) of spitting upon it from the bridge side (Courtenaye 1871, 507). Nothing of the former mill remains. The mill buildings presently on the site are 19th/20th century structures. The sculpted head is long since lost and indeed there was no memory of it among some of the older generation mill-workers when asked in July 1993. Tradition has it that the sculpted female head popularly designated 'Jane Squib's head', is that of the castle cook of the reign of King John. During the course of the construction of the castle, the masons were wont to ask the cook for titbits from the kitchen, ...'but she having declined to yield to their solicitations, they vented their disappointment and spleen against her, by setting up a caricature of her in this conspicuous manner, heaping every possible indignity upon it, which observance towards it was handed down to posterity' (ibid.). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011