Wall monument in Abbeyquarter North

Located in Sligo Dominican friary (SL014-065008-), inserted into the back wall of the O'Crean canopy tomb (SL014-065027-), in the N wall of the church. Armorial stone (H c. 0.71m; Wth 0.58) comprised of a shield bearing the O'Crean family arms combined with those of the French family, above which is a helmet sculpted in relief, with a mantling of swirls from which hang two tassels, framing the shield. Above the helmet is the O'Crean's crest, a small 'rampant' half wolf (rearing up) holding a heart. The surface of the shield is now quite worn, but a 1921 description recorded details of the engraving: the O'Crean arms, a 'rampant' wolf between three hearts, which are 'impaled' with the French arms, an ermine and a chevron (Crawford 1921, 29). The date 1616 is inscribed on either side of the wolf at the top. The initials AC and EF are engraved on either side of the shield, and are probably those of Andrew Crean and his wife Elizabeth French (ibid, 29). A Latin inscription, engraved across the base of the stone, reads 'cor mundum crea in me deus et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis'. It is from Psalm 51 and translates as 'Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels'. The first half of the inscription may have been the Crean's motto. This armorial stone is a late insertion into the back wall of the O'Crean canopy tomb (SL014-065027-). Three other armorial stones (SL014-065029-, SL014-065030-, SL014-065031-) of similar style are on display underneath the central tower of the friary. Attached image: SL014-065043-_01.JPG Compiled by: Anne-Julie Lafaye Date of upload: 29 September 2020

The wall monument in Abbeyquarter North, Sligo, was likely erected in the 17th century by a local noble or gentry family, as indicated by the armorial stone bearing a shield. It is part of the O'Crean canopy tomb and reflects the Catholic tradition of memorialization in the Dominican friary, which was an important religious site in the region.