Wall monument in Inishcaltra OR Holy Island

Situated within St. Mary’s church (CL029-009008-) on Inis Cealtra, this wall monument is in two portions, the upper portion is on the S wall, 7.5m from the E gable and the lower portion forms the altar at the E end of the church. The upper portion is described by Macalister (1916-17, 164-7, no. 88) as a triangular pediment in a moulded border flanked by pinnacles. A circular depression in the centre contains the O’Brien arms surrounded by a much worn inscription which reads: ‘THIS M(ONUME)NT W(AS ERECTED) BY THE LADY S(LANEY) BRIEN (MOTH)ER TO (SR TER)LAGH(MC I BRIEN) HERE LYE THE BODIES OF THE NOBLE KNOGHT SR T(ERL)AGH M I BRIEN ARA BARONETT WHO DIED THE 28 OF MARCH ANNO DNI 1626 AND HIS LADY (elys) BUTLER DAUGHTER TO THE RIGHT HONNORAGLE WALTER EARLE OF ORMOND WHO DIED THE X OF FEB. 1625 PRAY FOR THEIR SOULES MEMENTO MORI’. The altar at the E end has a crude carving of the crucifixion flanked with stiff floral panels. According to Macalister (ibid., 166) the total height of the monument would have been 8ft 6in (2.5m) and the breadth 7ft 4in (2.23m). Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 3 November 2015