Ballymore - Poss. Shrine Fragment

3D Model

Surveyed as an action of the Westmeath Heritage Plan 2018-2023, funded by the Heritage Council with support from Westmeath County Council.

Dimension W 0.39m D 0.17m H 0.25m An ogee window fragment with interior slit and flattened exterior. A carved face is placed on left angl exterior of the fragment. The face is crude + weather worn. Displaying an incised outline of a long pear-shaped face with rectangular nose and lozenge eyes. The mouth is open with a large defined upper lip. Poss. 15th C. The placement of the head suggests it was meant to be viewed. This, together with the undressed natured of the rear of the stone suggests that it may have been a portion of a shrine. Local information suggests the church site was dedicated to St. Thomas, prior a re-dedication to St. Mary. It could be suggested the Thomas in question was St. Thomas Beckett, and while it is not recorded, it is possible a local visited the shrine of Beckett and returned with a relic, placing it in a local shrine.