Wall monument in Athenry

This composite wall monument (Wth c. 7m; H 1.68-1.72m) spans the entire width of the N wall of the transept of the Dominican church (GA084-001014-). It appears to have been moved from its original location and reconstructed here. Its W end overlies a 13th/14th-century graveslab (GA084-001076-) and the NE wall of the transept has been obliquely cut away to accommodate its E end. Macalister (1913, 209) believed this was a series of three tombs: the W and central ones had three arches and the E one had two. The first two tombs were separated by a narrow pier while a wide pier separated these from the E tomb. Macalister’s (ibid., Pl. 1 and X b) ground plan and photograph reflect this lay-out. His photograph indicates that almost all of the arch stones and one pillar of W tomb had been removed. These have since been reinstated and a third arch has been inserted between the middle and E tomb. The tombs may have been originally located in the nave or chancel of the church (Mckeon 2009, 46). Another wall monument (GA084-001058---) has been inserted above the central tomb. (Bradley and Dunne 1992, 33) The following images have been uploaded: GA084-001073-_01.jpg - overall view of wall monument GA084-001073-_05.jpg - graveslab (GA084-001076-) at base of W end of wall monument Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 12 November 2018