William FitzGerald Coat-of-Arms (KD037-017024-)

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Monochrome This stone, along with others, was likely originally located in the mortuary chapel of the ruined church adjacent to Kilkea Castle. The stones were later incorporated into the graveyard walls before being relocated again for safety and built into the west wall of the nave by the 4th Duke of Leinster. Unfortunately, the only monument still imbedded in the wall (and now precariously so) is the FitzGerald crest’s famous monkey. The remaining stones, including this one, are scattered amongst ruble and overgrowth in the church nave.

The stone is the crest of William FitzGerald of Castleroe (d. c. 1630s). The main heater shaped shield is the FitzGerald Slatier surmounted by a helmet and a lynx, according to Bradley. Beneath this are two shields combining the FitzGerald coat-of-arms with those of William’s two wives. That on the left is the arms of the Keating family, with initials I K, representing Joan Keating, and those on the right are the Graydon family, with initials S G, for Cisly Graydon.