Kilbeggan Library Mystery Tree Stump - Folk Art

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This interesting piece of carved wood is housed in Kilbeggan Library. It was found when a tree was cut down in the 1950s. Upon cutting the tree it was discovered that there was a carving of a chuch inside the stump. The design is of a folk art style and possibly dates to the late 1800s or early 1900s. It has been suggested that the tree was on the boundary of church lands, and that the carving was placed on a tree on the boundry on a hollow in the tree. As the tree grew it closed over the hollow and the carving was preserved on the inside.

Another theory is that a soft metal sign hung on the tree, as as the tree grew around the sign it rusted away leaving the impression inside the tree.

It is also possible the carving or sign marked a site where penal masses were held. This could date the carving to the 17th century, but it is worth noting that many mass sites from penal times were still marked into the 20th century with annual masses.

What do you think of the carving?