Sunday, 28 March 2021

A possible lost Sean Na Gig at Monsea outside Nenagh


Monsea church outside Nenagh.

Dermot Gleeson in NMAJ mentions some features of note;

"Outside the south door is a stone that came up with cleaning. It has embossed a panel about 1in. square bearing rosette, four quatre foils and the initials "T.B" and "S.B". The Tudor Rose and initials apparently refer to the Butler family." He earlier mentions in the same paper that the lands here were part of the manor of Ballyartela owned by the Earl and Countess of Ormond up to the 18th Century.

There is a small stone immediately outside the south door but I'm not sure if it is the one referred to.

Another interesting feature is a possible "Sean na Gig" or maybe some kind of folk art.

"There is another stone (broken) of a rudely calved nude man. This is apparently of comparatively modern date (perhaps 18 cent) and may be a sportive effort of a local mason".

I've included a sketch of a "sean na gig" from another location. There is no sign of this around, does anyone have any information on its whereabouts?

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