FitzGerald Monkey Stone (KD037-017026-) Kilkea3D ModelNoAI
**FitzGerald Monkey Stone (KD037-017026-) Kilkea - Monochrome **
Mounted into the west wall of a late medieval church (KD037-017003-) in the grounds of Kilkea Castle (KD037-017002-), in County Kildare, is this 16th or 17th century limestone carving (KD037-017026-). It depicts the FitzGerald monkey – an element of their heraldic crest. The monkey is chined and holds in its paw an object variously described as a helmet, or, as a child in swaddling. The latter interpretation would agree with a legend that the monkey was represented on their arms due to it saving a FitzGerald child during a house fire.
The stone is now precariously hanging out of the wall and is likely to be severely damaged if the inevitable is allowed to happen. Scattered around the ground in the same part of the church ruin are the remains of various late medieval carvings and a baptismal font.
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