What is recorded here

Leixlip church in County Kildare holds three carved stone heads, including a small crowned figure in the chancel and two glaring faces on the tower walls. The crown head wears a fleur-de-lys, while the others show bulging eyes, a moustache or a fringe of hair. They are not decorative extras; they are embedded in the church body like remembered witnesses. A person may have stood beneath them, looked up, and felt the building answer back.

Leixlip church (KD011-004003-) contains three carved stone heads: KD011-004012- is located in the S wall of the chancel and is a small, worn head with a fleur-de-lys crown, in the 13th century style (Bradley et al. 1986 vol. 3, 314). KD011-004013- is located high on the W-end of the stair-turret's N wall and is carved showing bulging eyes and a moustache (Bradley et al. 1986 vol. 3, 316). KD011-004014- is located at the E-end of the tower's N wall and is carved showing a fringe of hair across the forehead, bulging almond-shaped eyes, an elongated nose and an upturned slit for the mouth (Bradley et al. 1986 vol. 3, 316). Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011

13th century; likely associated with ecclesiastical decoration or a memorial, reflecting medieval Christian symbolism.

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