Dunsany

Image copyright © De Breffny & Mott, 1978

PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

Results: 46 records

B01: symbol - shield - emblem - Christ - the instruments of the Passion

Scene Description: Identified in Westropp (1894) as being on the north side -- seen here in the centre panel

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39848] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B02: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Peter - holding 2 keys and book

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the northwest side -- seen here in the centre panel, left arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39855] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B03: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Paul - holding book and sword

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the northwest side -- seen here in the centre panel, right arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39855] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B04: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Andrew - with his cross

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the west side -- seen here in the centre panel, left arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39861] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B05: Apostle or saint - Apostles - unidentified

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the west side, and identified as John, but others differ in the identification: Thomas, etc. [cf. FontNotes] -- seen here in the centre panel, right arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39861] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B06: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Bartholomew - holding flaying knife

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

B07: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. James the Less - holding fuller's club

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

B08: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Thomas - holding spear

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the south side -- the figure is identified differently as Thomas, Juse, etc. [cf. FontNotes] -- seen here in the left arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39857] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B09: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Matthias - holding halberd

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this was one of two arches on the south side -- seen here in the right arch

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39857] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B10: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Philip - holding object

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this would be one of the two arches on the south side; he identifies the figure simply as a saint [cf. FontNotes]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39862] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B11: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Judas Thaddeus - holding object

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this would be one of the two arches on the south side; he identifies the figure simply as a saint [cf. FontNotes]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39862] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B12: Apostle or saint - Apostles - unidentified

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this would be one of the two arches on the east side; he identifies the figure in the left arch simply as "a sanit" -- is the cape part of a pilgrim's garb? therefore St. James the Greater? [cf. FontNotes]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B13: Apostle or saint - Apostles - St. Matthew

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this would be one of the two arches on the east side; he identifies the figure in the right arch as "Matthew with the bag", but others differ in the identification: John with a cup? [cf. FontNotes]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

B14: New Testament - Passion of Christ - Crucifixion - Mary - John the Evangelist

Scene Description: According to Westropp (1894) this would be the northeast side

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39856] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

BU01: animal - bird - pelican - plucking its breast - feeding its young - chicks in nest

Scene Description: on one of the panels of the chamfered underbowl [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU02: symbol - wheel

Scene Description: on some of the sides of the chamfered underbowl [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU03: design element - motifs - floral - fleur-de-lis

Scene Description: many of them on one of the panels of the chamfered underbowl [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU04: animal - bird - dove - with fleur-de-lis - 3

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU05: animal - mammal - quadruped - passant - 2 (with foliage)

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU06: design element - architectural - arcade - blind - Gothic arches

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39854] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

BU06: design element - motifs - floral

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

BU07: design element - patterns - fluted

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39854] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB01: symbol - shield - emblem - Christ - cross - angel - holding shield

Scene Description: England? -- [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB02: symbol - shield - emblem - Christ - the five wounded limbs of Christ: heart (side-wound), hands, and feet - pierced heart - angel holding shield

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB03: symbol - shield - emblem - saltire - angel - holding shield

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39849] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB04: coat of arms - FitzGerald or Plunket family - angel - holding shield

Scene Description: on one of the four shields on adjacent sides of the base, being held by an angel [cf. FontNotes] -- [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39850] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB06: design element - patterns - fluted

Scene Description: on one of the panels of the stem -- [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39854] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB07: design element - motifs - floral or foliage

Scene Description: on one of the panels of the stem -- [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39854] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

UB08: design element - motifs - foliage?

Scene Description: stylised design in inverted wheat-sheaf shape? -- seen here on the left panel -- [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: detail of a digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

design element - architectural - arcade - 14 arches

Scene Description: in several forms (round, Gothic) and combinations (single, double), housing the figures and symbols on the basin sides

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

view of basin - underbowl - detail

Scene Description: the pelican scene in its context on the underbowl chamfer

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Roe, 1968

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Roe (1968: pl. III)

Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

view of church exterior

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: 223)

Copyright Instructions: PD

view of church exterior

Scene Description: partial view of the ruins of St. Nicholas -- Photo caption: "Built in the 1440's, and named for St. Nicholas of Myra, this is the estate church of Dunsany demesne, made after and slightly larger than the also-ruined church on the Killeen estate. Although the main body is roofless, it is still consecrated and a wedding was celebrated there in the 2000's. There are stairs in a tower, and a residential space at the rear."

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Tim Wilson, 2011

Image Source: digital photograph taken 14 November 2011 by Tim Wilson [www.geograph.ie/photo/3543048] [accessed 12 June 2014]

Copyright Instructions: CC-BY-SA-3.0

view of church interior - nave - east

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: 225)

Copyright Instructions: PD

view of church interior - plan

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: 224)

Copyright Instructions: PD

view of font

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Joan Pike, 1989

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Pike (1989: 38, 44)

Copyright Instructions: Permission received (letter of 9/2/2004)

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39851] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39853] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39854] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39855] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Roe, 1968

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Roe (1968: pl. XXII)

Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Roe, 1968

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Roe (1968: pl. XXII)

Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

view of font

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © De Breffny & Mott, 1978

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in De Breffny & Mott (1976: 91)

Copyright Instructions: PERMISSION NOT AVAILABLE -- IMAGE NOT FOR PUBLIC USE

view of font - front side

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Westropp (1894: [226])

Copyright Instructions: PD

view of font - north side

Scene Description: [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © Edwin Rae Collection (TRIARC. TCD), 2014

Image Source: digital version of a B&W photograph 26 May 2010 by Edwin Rae [http://hdl.handle.net/2262/39848] [accessed 12 June 2014

Copyright Instructions: Reproduced under a CCL Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 licence

view of font in context

Scene Description: Note the damage on the upper rim and sides, and the quadrangular plinth on which the font is raised, and compare it to later photographs in De Breffny & Mott [ca.1976?], and Roe [ca. 1989?]

Copyright Statement: Image copyright © [in the public domain]

Image Source: digital image of an illustration in Champneys (1910: p. CIV)

Copyright Instructions: PD

INFORMATION

FontID: 00390DUN
Church/Chapel: Church of St. Nicholas [ruined church stands on grounds of Dunsany Castle]
Church Patron Saints: St. Nicholas of Myra
Church Location: Dunsany Castle, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
Country Name: Republic of Ireland
Location: Meath / An Mhí, Leinster
Directions to Site: Located off the L2208, 4 km SW of Tara, about 30 km up the N3 from Dublin
Ecclesiastic Region: Diocese of Meath
Font Location in Church: Reported ca. 1750 in the W end of the church, and ca. 1894 in the chancel, in the ruins of the church; ca, 1903, "in the choir of the ruined church" [cf. FontNotes]
Century and Period: 15th century (late?), Late Gothic
Workshop/Group/Artisan: Apostles font / heraldic font
Cognate Fonts: Two other such in Co. Meath [The font at Rathmore may have had a two-piece basin as well] -- another Irish font of a slightly later date showing the pelican feeding its young from its own blood at Thomastown [cf. Index entry for Thomastown No.1]
Credit and Acknowledgements: We are grateful to Trinity College, Dublin, for the copy of Ms. Pike's work, and to Ms. Joan Pike for her kind permission to reproduce her original drawings.
Church Notes: The original castle dates ca. 1180-1200; the original church survived into the 14thC; present church is mid-15thC; now part of the ruins but remains consecrated; National Monument.
In Isaac Butler's 'Journey from Dublin to the Shores of Lough Derg', a trip that took place soon after 1740 (Cooper, 1892), a description of Dunsany includes a mention of the baptismal font at the Church of St. Nicholas: "Near the West Window is a curious Octagon Font of Green marble, with ye Figures of ye 12 Apostles in bass Relief on ye Sides. There is also on ye pedestal Effigies of 4 Men having a Coat of Arms on their right hand & each of ym fronting ye 4 cardinal points of heaven." The font is also described and illustrated in Westropp (1894), who makes a reference to Butler's report: "This font was at the west end of the church in Butler's time (1750) [sic]; he says it is of 'green marble'. It is really of yellow sandstone." Westroop (ibid.) places the font in the chancel in his own time [i.e., ca 1894] and describes it thus: "[the font] stands 3 ft. 6 in. high, and has an octagonal head 26 inches across,with a round basin and drain. Beginning at the north, the carvings [...] are as follows: --1, two angels supporting a shield, with the instruments of the Passion; below is a pelican in piety, amidst foliage, as a type of Christ; 2, St. Peter with the keys, and St. Paul with the sword; below is a fretwork, like groining; 3, St. Andrew with his cross, and St. Thomas with a spear; below are a hound and hare, with foliage; 4, St. Bartholomew with the knife, and St. James Minor with the club; below are trefoil-headed flutings; 5, a saint, with a long staff (perhaps St. James Major), and another (perhaps Matthias) with a halbert; below are plain flutings; 6, two saints; below is a pattern of fleur-de-lis and trefoils; 7, a saint, and St. Matthew with the bag; below are birds and fleurs-de-lis [cf. infra for Roe's view]; and 8, the Crucifixion, between the B. Virgin, and St. John, the latter distinguished by the book; below are interlaced leaves. On the faces of the pier, following the same order are --1, fretwork; 2 to 5, angels holding shields, with (2) the cross, (3) the heart pierced by two swords, (4) the Fitz Gerald, and (5) the Plunkett arms; 6 and 7, sprays of foliage; 8, flutings. This was probably put up by Christopher, Lord Dunsany, and his wife Anna Fitz Gerald. Described in Cooke (1903): "A font almost precisely similar in design may be seen in the choir of the ruined church of Dunsany [...], but it is of smaller size, and the figures and ornaments with which it is sculptured are less prominent than those upon the example at Kilcarn. It is 3 feet 6 inches in height, with an octagonal head. The panels contain representations of the Crucifixion, many of the Apostles, and other figures. The shaft is carved in heraldic and other devices. Its probable date is about the middle of the fifteenth century." Described and illustrated in Roe (1968), with reference to Westropp (1894), from whom she differs in the identification of the seventh panel. Westropp [cf. supra] had identified the last two figures as John holding a book, followed by Matthew with his tax-money bag, whereas Roe identifies them as John holding a goblet and James the Great in pilgrim garb with staff and scallop shell. The font is octagonal at the basin, stem and lower base, with the basin consisting of two separate blocks [basin proper and underbowl -- cf. Index entry for Rathmore for another possible case of such font design]. The first side of the basin contains a scene of the Crucifixion; the next has a pair of angels holding a shield charged with the Instruments of the Passion; the next six sides contain the figures of the Apostles, in pairs, carrying their symbols. The chamfer of the underbowl is decorated with a number of symbols and motifs: Ogee arches, fluting, other geometrical, floral, etc., as well as three panels involving animals: one has three doves (?) with fleur-de-lys, a second has the pelican feeding its chicks with the blood plucked from its breast, and a third has two qaudrupeds passant towards the left amid foliage. The stem of the base is decorated on four sides with an angel holding a shield in each panel; the four shields which contain coats of arms are identified by Roe (ibid.) as belonging to the FitzGerald and Plunket families; the other four sides contain rows and columns of upright and upside-down fleur-de-lis "so shallowly and smoothly carved as to suggest no more than the glazing on a tile" (Roe, 1968). Roe's illustration shows the upper part of the basin badly damaged and she warns that the deterioration of the rest of the stone is advancing rapidly. Described and illustrated in Pike (1989). On the underbowl pelican Hourihane (2003) writes: "The panel shows the pelican with its neck curved in a slightly exagerated circle, piercing its breast and feeding three young chicks in the plain basket-like nest beneath. The bird is shown in great detail, with its beak and claws portrayed naturalistically. Similarly, the depiction of the three young chicks is highly detailed [...] The font dates from the late fifteenth century." [NB: the photographs taken of this font in the past show the problem with making any identification of the vertically corresponding scenes and themes based of the cardinal points; the upper basin clock has been replaced on a different position at different times, therefore some of the descriptions locating the themes on the N-S-E-W axes will appear contradictory]

COORDINATES

Church Latitude & Longitude Decimal: 53.536242, -6.617692
Church Latitude & Longitude DMS: 53° 32′ 10.47″ N, 6° 37′ 3.69″ W
UTM: 29U 657876 5934566

MEDIUM AND MEASUREMENTS

Material: stone, sandstone (yellow)
Number of Pieces: three?
Font Shape: octagonal (mounted)
Basin Exterior Shape: octagonal
Rim Thickness: 8.5 cm*
Diameter (inside rim): 51 cm*
Diameter (includes rim): 65 cm***
Basin Depth: 20 cm*
Height of Basin Side: 32.77 cm
Basin Total Height: 50.57 cm
Height of Base: 32 cm*
Basin Upper Panel Dimensions: 33 cm* high by 25.5 cm wide*
Basin Lower Panel Dimensions: 17.4 cm high* by 22.3 cm wide*
Font Height (with Plinth): 107.32 cm** ***
Trapezoidal Basin: 54.6 (width of basin)
Notes on Measurements: *** Westropp (1894: 223-224); ** Cooke (1903: 382); * Roe (1968: 55); * Pike (1989: 38)

REFERENCES

Butler, Isaac, "A Journey to Lough Derg", 22, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1892, pp. 13-24, 126-136; r["References"]
Champneys, Arthur C., Irish Ecclesiastical Architecture: with some Notice of Similar or Related Work in England, Scotland and Elsewhere, London; Dublin: G. Bell and Sons; Hodges, Figgis & Co., 1910
De Breffny, Brian, The Churches and Abbeys of Ireland, London: Thames and Hudson, 1976
Hourihane, Colum, Gothic art in Ireland, 1169-1550: enduring vitality, New Haven, London: Yale University Press, for The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, 2003
II, Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, 1893, pp. 373; r["References"]
Pike, Joan H.K., "Medieval Fonts of Ireland", [Supplied courtesy of The Dept. of the History of Art, Trinity College, Dublin], [Ireland]: [Privately printed], 1989
Roe, Helen M., Medieval Fonts of Meath, Longford, Ireland: Meath Archaeological and Historical Society, 1968
Wakeman, William Frederick, Wakeman's Handbook of Irish Antiquities, Dublin: Hodges, Figgis, 1903
Westropp, Thomas Johnson, "The Churches of Dunsany and Skreen, Co. Meath", 24, Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 1894, pp. 222-231; r["References"]