• Home
• News
• About
• Searching and Browsing
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Feature
  • Browse
  • Progress Status
• Resources
• Contact Us

I Location

II General Description

The square chancel of the 12thc. cathedral is enclosed between the early 14thc. choir and 19thc. nave of the present Church of Ireland Cathedral.

III Exterior Features

2. Windows

(i) E windows

The windows which formed the triple E window of the original Cathedral church are on the interior of the current church and are therefore described below (IV Interior Features, 5. Interior Decoration, c. Miscellaneous).

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

a. Chancel arch/Apse arches

(i) Chancel arch

Comprising five orders and a label.

(i) First order, W face

N base, W face: the upper part is carved with a step pattern, separated by a groove, the lower part is smoothly finished with diagonal tooling. There are traces of a torus moulding above. (h. 0.2 m x w. 0.2 m).

N base, S face: step pattern with the E side distorted to accommodate a plain convex sub-triangular moulding. Diagonal tooling on the plain surface below and a torus moulding above. (h. 0.2 m x w. 0.42 m).

N jamb: half column with vertical beading on three of the blocks. (w. 0.2 m on W face, w. 0.4 m on S face, h.1.48m).

N capital, W face: damaged. Carved with a frontal anthro-zoomorphic mask. Ovoid eye, broad and curved mouth with pointed ears. A fleshy bi-foliate motif with depressed pellets springs between the eyes. There are two plain bands above, and a torus moulding below. (h.0.3 m x w.0.2 m).

N capital, S face: damaged. The entire face is carved with an anthropomorphic mask. The mask has contoured lentoid eyes surmounted by eyebrows that terminate in spirals with clubbed terminals. The broad nose has C-curled nostrils , there is a curved mouth , a moustache which terminates in C-curls, an S-curled chin and a beard of lobed and club shapes. On the E side, below the mask are pellets and interlocking S-curls with rounded terminals which in 16 cases form triskeles. Along the upper edge is a flat band which dips in the centre to give a rectangular form. This rectangle is filled with four S-curls. Above this the upper edge is framed by a continuous flat band. A narrow double band frames the E vertical edge and at the lower edge there is a torus moulding. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.41m).

N impost, W face: damaged. Rectangular block with three carved bands. (h.0.16 m x w. 0.2 m).

N impost, S face: carved with interlocking S-curls with rounded terminals. There are pelllets above and below the S-curls. The composition is framed by five plain horizonal bands. (h. 0.16 m x w. 0.44 m).

S base, W face: surface divided in two by a groove. Upper portion carved with a step pattern formed by T-shapes surmounted by rectangles. Lower part finely dressed with diagonal tool marks. Torus moulding above. (h.0.18 m x w. 0.2 m).

S base, N face: damaged. The surviving surface is divided in two by a horizontal groove. The surviving pattern above consists of a step pattern formed by two T-shapes and part of a third. Diagonal tooling below. (h.0.18 m x w. 0.42 m).

S jamb: half column: undecorated. (w. 0.2 m on W face, w. 0.4 m on N face, h.1.48 m).

S capital, W face: entire face carved with anthro-zoomorphic mask. The mask has contoured lentoid eyes, a nose with clubbed nostrils, curved mouth, and beard with C-curls, hatched bands and club terminal spirals. There are pointed ears on the top of the head. The continuous eyebrow terminates on the N side with a foliate motif. Another similar foliate motif is carved between the eyes. The remaining spaces on this face of the capital are carved with simple step patterns. A plain band frames the whole composition. There is a torus moulding below. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.21 m).

S capital, N face: anthropomorhpic mask. Contoured lentoid eyes, a broad nose formed by V-bands and cross bands, nostrils formed by C-curls with clubbed terminals and a curved mouth. The eyebrows are hatched bands that terminate in stylised foliage. A foliate form with a beaded cross band springs from between the eyes. The mask is bordered on either side by S- and C-curls and hatched bands. The whole composition is framed by a flat band which runs along the top, down either side to the base of the cheeks and under the mask at that point. There is a torus moulding below. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.41m).

S impost, W face: defaced. Carved with a fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h.016 m x w. 0.2 m).

S impost, N face: carved as W face. ( h. 0.16 m x w. 0.46 m).

In the arch, 36 voussoirs. The face is carved with one row of centripetal chevron, the apices of each chevron expanded to form a 'spoon bill' shape. 45 of the chevron spandrels are bordered by a plain band, three (on voussoirs 5&7) are bordered by beading. In 17 of the spandrels (on voussoirs 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 36) there is a stylised fleur-de-lis motif. One of the spandrels (on voussoir 16) has a lily motif with a cross band on the stem surmounted by four radiating lobes and a lozenge shape. 11 of the 'spoons' are filled with a double lobe and ovoid shape. 36 'spoons' have two grooves forming a foiate motif. On one 'spoon' ( on voussoir no.12) there is a stylised plant form consisting of two lobes and a stem with two branches stemming from both. 23 of the spoons are defaced. A broad band runs along the exterior of all of the voussoirs. The soffit is carved with two rows of symmetrically opposed 'spoonbill' chevrons separated by a band of running foliage. On three of the voussoirs the spandrels are decorated, two with a foliate motif consisting of a stem with three foliate lobes and one with curved lobes and six horizontal beads with a clubbed terminal at either side of the spandrel. All of the other spandrels are plain, outlined by a narrow band. The 'spoons' of the chevron are, all but nine, carved with foliate motifs. The nine are carved with a stylised plant form consisting of two lobes and a triangular shaped area. On the 'spoons' of one of the voussoirs there are four pellets, one triangular and three circular. The running foliage between the two rows of chevron consists of a series of V-shaped motifs with clubbed terminals alternating with pairs of pellets.

(iii) Second order, W face

N base, W face: damaged, may have been carved with a foliate motif consisting of lobed and pointed forms. Torus moulding above. (0.2 m x 0.2 m).

N base, S face: eight rings form an arc above, below which are foliate forms consisting of lobed tendrils, a ring and spiral with clubbed terminals and interlocking c-scrolls with triskele terminal. Torus moulding above. (h 0.2 m x w.0.18 m).

N shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

N capital, W face: carved with symmetrically opposed foliate and floral motifs framed by a plain band. Torus moulding below. ( h. 0.3 m x w. 0.2 m).

N capital, S face: symmetrical pattern consisting of stems with tendrils either side bearing a floral design with seven petals and a central pellet and foliate designs. The pattern is bordered above by a double band and below by a band and torus moulding. (h. 0.3 m x w. 0.17m).

N impost: interlocking c-curls with rounded terminals; pellets above and below on both W and S faces. The upper edge is bordered by four plain horizontal bands. The bottom edge is defaced. (h. 0.16m x w.0.2m x d.0.18m).

S base, W face: damaged. Visible remains include foliate forms with curved stems and lobed tendrils, and two geometric forms. n.face (0.18m x 0.18m) Carved with foliage consisting of upper trifuricating forms with two c-curls with clubbed terminals and lobed motifs, and lower bifuricating lobed forms and a c-curl with clubbed terminal and a lozenge form in the centre. Torus moulding above. (h. 0.18m x w. 0.2m).

S shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

S capital, W face: stylised floral and foliate designs on an undulating stem. The design is bordered on three sides by a continuous band, doubled along the top edge. Torus moulding below.

S capital, N face: stylised foliate and floral pattern consisting of a central floral motif with central pellet and petals, flanked above and below by floral and foliate motifs and on either side by stems with tendril and floral motifs. ( h.0.3 m x w. 0.18 m). There is a double plain band above and a plain band and torus moulding below. (h. 0.3 m x w.0.2 m).

S impost : fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h. 0.16 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

In the arch are 51 voussoirs carved on face and soffit with a total of four rows of hyphenated, syncopated chevron . The two central rows are arranged so as to form a row of hyphenated lozenges along the edge. There is a narrow band crossing the chevron roll at the apex of all of the chevrons. On 26 voussoirs the chevrons and hyphens are flanked by rows of beading, and on the remaining - 25 by narrow bands. There is a flat band along the external edge of both the face and the soffit of the arch. The spandrels of 14 of the voussoirs are occupied by five different types of stylised foliate and floral motif. The motifs are as follows; a four-petalled flower with central pellet; an eight-petalled floral motif consisting of alternating large and small petals around a central pellet; a floral form with two large petals, 18 small ones and two central pellets; a four-petalled form with circular pellets on two of the petals and with two pellets. A four-petalled form with two curved, club-terminaled appendages and a central pellet: two of the lozenges have a central boss.

(iv) Third order, W face

N base: damaged. Remains include a bifuricating stem, a c-form, part of a clubbed terminal, a triangular form and a lozenge form. Torus moulding along the upper edge. (0.2 m x 0.2 m).

N base, S face: pattern consisting of swirling plant forms. On the W side is a trifuricate form, on the E side are two lobed tendrils, one with a club terminal, the other with a pointed terminal. Torus moulding above. (h. 0.2 m x w 0.18 m).

N face: in the centre are two interlocking c-curls with double contour and a central row of beading. On the E side is a vertical band, again double contoured with central beading, with stylised plant forms on either side. In the lower W corner is a band with two geometric forms below. (0.18 m x 0.18 m).

N shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

N capital, W face: worn. Interlaced plant forms consisting of a mixture of floral and foliate motifs. Bordered by a double band above, a single band along the N edge and a torus moulding below. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.2 m).

N capital, S face: defaced interlace pattern. Bipeds seen in profile interlaced with snakes seen in plan. Features which survive include the hindquarters of a biped with interlacing tail terminating with a rounded terminal and two pad and claw feet. There are no complete snakes but a head with rounded snout and two tails with clubbed terminals survive. The bodies of the bipeds and snakes are the same thickness. The composition is bordered above by a double plain band and below by a plain band and torus moulding. (h. 0.3 m x w. 0.18 m).

N impost: interlocking c-curls with rounded terminals with pellets above and below on both W and S faces. The upper edge is bordered by four plain horizontal bands. The bottom edge is defaced. (h. 0.16 m x w.0.2 m x d.0.18 m)

S base; W face: damaged. Remains include two rings, a row of beads and four geometric forms. (h. 0.18 m x w. 0.2 m).

S shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

S capital, W face: carved with stylised plant forms attached on the s.side to an undulating stem. To the N of this is an interlace pattern, badly worn. Visible remains include the head of a snake seen in plan, and two clubbed tail terminals. The interlace strands are quite narrow. Plain double band above and plain band and torus moulding below. (h.0.3 m x 0.2 m).

S capital, N face: defaced. Decorated with an interlace pattern consisting of bipeds seen in profile and snakes seen in plan. The feet of two of the bipeds remain, one with a single lobe and heel, the other a plain lobed foot. The head of one snake also remains, with a rounded snout. The bodies of bipeds and snakes are the same thickness. There is a four-lobed feature in the bottom W corner. The design is bordered above by a plain band and below by a torus moulding. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.18 m).

S impost: Fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h. 0.16 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

In the arch are 53 voussoirs. Each voussoir is carved on face and soffit with a roll of lateral centripetal chevron arranged point-to-point along an arris roll. The chevron roll is flanked on either side by narrow fillets and crossed at the apex of each chevron by a narrow band. On 38 of the voussoirs the spandrels are left plain. In the spandrel of one voussoir there is a plant form consisting of a central stem with three curvilinear appendages. 14 voussoirs are defaced.

(v) Fourth order, W face

N base, W face: damaged. Surviving carving consists of plant forms including a bifuricating stem, c-curl, part of a clubbed terminal and a lozenge form. A torus moulding forms the upper border. (0.2 m x 0.2 m).

N base, S face: plant forms consisting of lobed foliage and clubbed terminals . There is a torus moulding above. (h. 0.2 m x w. 0.18 m).

N shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

N capital, W face: partly defaced. Carved with an interlace design consisting of four bipeds seen in profile and snakes seen in plan. The bipeds have curved hindquarters terminating with pad and claw feet, their interlacing tails are double-stranded for part of the way and terminate in clubbed terminals. Two forelegs are visible, with straight legs and lobed feet. Parts of at least two snakes survive including a head with rounded snout and tail with clubbed terminal. A short part of one snakes body is double-stranded. A continuous plain band frames the design. There is a further plain band above and torus moulding below. (h. 0.3 m x w. 0.2 m).

N impost: defaced rectangular block. (h.0.16 m x w. 0.2 m).

N impost, S face: worn. Interlace pattern consisting of three bipeds and one biped derivative seen in profile interlaced with snakes seen in plan. The hind legs and forequarters of the bipeds are defaced. One biped has a clubbed terminal tail, another a bi-lobate terminal and another a rounded terminal. The biped derivative is distorted in shape and has an upper appendage with clubbed terminal. No snake heads survive, but two snakes have clubbed terminals to their tails, and another a pointed terminal. Another snake, which interlaces with the biped derivative, has a pad and claw terminal. The composition is bordered on the top by a double plain band and along the bottom by a plain band and torus moulding. (h. 0.3 m x w.0.18 m).

S base, W face: defaced. (h. 0.18 m x w. 0.2 m).

S base, N face: defaced. (0.18 m x0.18 m).

S shaft: engaged column. (h.1.48 m x w. 0.2 m x d. 0.18 m).

S capital, W face: carved with a worn interlace pattern consisting of three bipeds carved in profile and snakes seen in plan. Only the tail of one biped is distinguishable. It is bifuricated and has a lobed terminal. There are two pellets combined into the interlace pattern. A plain continuous band borders the pattern on three sides while a further plain band marks the upper edge, and a torus moulding marks the lower edge. (h. 0.3 m x w.0.2 m).

S capital, N face: The upper part of the pattern has stylised plant forms. Below this is an interlace pattern consisting of four bipeds seen in profile and snakes seen in plan. Three of the bipeds have tails with clubbed terminals. The fourth has an unusual triangular-shaped foot with lappet and lobe and an interlacing tail with a rounded tip. The details of the snakes are all quite worn. The interlace pattern is framed on three sides by a contiuous band. There is a further plain band above and a torus below. (h. 0.3 m x w. 0.18 m).

S impost: fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h.0.16 m x w.0.2 m).

In the arch are 61 voussoirs carved with cogwheel chevron. The chevron rolls are flanked on face and soffit by narrow rows of beading, and crossed at the apex of each chevron by a narrow band. All of the chevron spandrels on the soffit are plain, and on the W face the spandrels on seven voussoirs are left plain. 50 spandrels on the W face are carved with a pattern consisting of two curvilinear lobes with a smaller lobe between them, 11 of which have a further cross band and triangular forms at either side. There is a plain band and row of beading along the external edge on the W face and a plain band only along the external edge of the soffit. Three voussoirs are completely defaced.

(v) Fifth order, W face

N base, W face: the base is divided into two parts that correspond to the pilaster and engaged column above. The N side is simply dressed with diagonal tooling, the S side is now quite defaced but parts of a torus moulding survive along the upper border. (h. 0.2 m x w.0.41 m).

N base, S face: carved with stylised plant forms including bilobate forms, spirals with club terminals, and a floral motif made from flattened pellets. (h.0.2 m x w. 0.18 m)

N jamb: pilaster with engaged column carved from the same stone along S edge. The pilaster, comprising a total of eight blocks is carved with foliate and floral motifs. On the four upper blocks is a motif consisting of trefoils and eight-petalled flowers with central pellet, on long stems which bifuricate and interlace with one another. The interlace is double-stranded. The motif is vertically framed on either side by a triple flat band. The two lower blocks are carved with an undulating pelleted stem with fleshy foliate projection. On the sixth block the pelleted stem has three cross bands. On the lower part of this block the foliate motifs have pellets. The lower two blocks are also vertically framed by a triple flat band. (w. 0.18 m).

N capital, W face: very worn but there are traces of carved interlace. In the lower centre of the face are traces of a torus moulding that presumably once extended outwards to correspond with the engaged shaft below. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.39 m).

N capital, S face: badly defaced. Again this face has traces of interlace carving including the leg and small lobed foot of a biped. A lower border is formed by a torus moulding. (h.0.3 m x w.0.18 m).

N impost, W face: defaced. Remaining decoration consists of a small carved block with opposed spirals with a pellet, bordered below by five horizontal plain bands. (h.0.16 m x w.0.44 m).

N impost, S face: defaced. (h.0.16 m x w. 0.17 m).

S base: completely defaced.

S jamb: defaced.

S capital, W face: partly broken, but what remains is in good condition. There is an interlace design comprising four bipeds seen in profile interlacing with one another, and with four snakes viewed in plan. The bipeds whose heads have not been defaced have two lappets and a lobed snout. The visible fore-quarters have a lobed foreleg and the visible hindquarters have pad and claw feet. Two different tail terminals are visible, one clubbed, the other pointed. The snakes all have rounded snouts and bulging eyes and their tails have clubbed terminals. There are two quasi-triangular motifs in the top centre of the pattern and some fragmented interlace to the S side. Five geometric floral motifs with four petals and a pellet are carved below the interlace pattern. There is a continuous plain band on three sides. A torus moulding, now damaged, forms the lower N border, corresponding with the engaged column below. (h 0.3 m x w. 0.39 m).

S capital, N face: slightly defaced, the upper part of the design consists of stylised plant forms, the lower part zoomorphic interlace. The interlace pattern again consists of four profile bipeds interlacing with one another, and with snakes seen in plan. Two of the bipeds have curved hindquarters, one with a lobed foot, the other with a pad and claw foot. The other two have straight hindquarters and their legs merge into the interlace. Two of the bipeds have pointed terminal tails, the tails of the other two merge into the interlace. The snakes' heads are all defaced but they had pointed terminal tails. This face of the capital is partially borded by a plain band, with a torus moulding below. (h. 0.3 m xw. 0.18 m).

S impost: fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h. 0.16 m x w.0.52 m).

In the arch 67 voussoirs carved on face and soffit with a single row of hyphenated centripetal chevron. The chevron row comprises a row of pellets between two fillets. It is arranged point-to-point. There is a keel moulding along the arris with a central row of pellets. Pellets also flank the arris roll on either face.

The label is rectangular and comprises 29 voussoirs. 26 of the voussoirs are carved on the W face with a slightly raised band of lateral chevron flanked on either side by narrow fillets. The external edge is bordered by a plain band. Three of the voussoirs are defaced. The intrados and extrados are both plain. The S and N ends of the label were removed when the 19thc. nave was added to the cathedral.

(vi) First order, E face

N base: undecorated apart from a convex moulding of sub-rectangular, triangular form with diagonal tooling. (h.0.2 m x w. 0.22 m).

N capital: undecorated apart from a convex moulding of sub-rectangular, triangular form with diagonal tooling. A torus moulding forms the lower edge. (h.0.3 m x 0.2 m).

N impost: carved with undulating foliate and floral forms and a band in that crosses the centre. There are also C-forms and a pellet. Five plain horizontal bands form a border above and below. (h.0.16 m x w.0.2 m).

S base: undecorated apart from a convex moulding of sub-rectangular, triangular form with diagonal tooling. (h. 0.18 m x w. 0.22 m).

S capital: undecorated apart from a convex moulding of sub-rectangular, triangular form with diagonal tooling. A torus moulding forms the lower edge. (h. 0.3 m x 0.2 m).

S impost: fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h. 0.16 m x w.20 m).

The arch is carved with spoon-bill chevron, with a plain band running along the external edge. Three of the 'spoons' are now defaced. One 'spoon' is carved with two lines arranged to form a foliate motif.

(vii) Second Order; E face

N jamb: plain pilaster bonded into wall. (h 1.68 m x 0.09 m)

N capital: plain, dressed with diagonal tooling. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.11 m x d. 0.2 m).

N impost, E face: Rectangular block mutilated by 19thc. work. Carved with horizontal interlocking s-curls with rounded terminals and terminated at either end in a c-curl. The design is framed above and below by four plain horizontal bands. (h. 0.16m x w. 0.13m).

N impost, S face: decorated as on E face. (h.0.16 m x w. 0.2 m)

S jamb: plain pilaster bonded into wall. (h 1.66 m x 0.09 m).

S capital: plain, dressed with diagonal tooling. (h.0.3 m x w. 0.1 m x d. 0.21 m).

S impost: fillet above a cyma recta moulding. (h. 0.16 m x w.20 m).

The arch has 43 undecorated voussoirs with diagonal tool marks. The N and S sides of the arch were cut off when the south chancel walls were remodelled in the 19thc.

IV Interior Features

5. Interior Decoration

c. Miscellaneous

(i) Triple window

E face

Three-light window of three orders, surmounted by a plain label. Now forming the interior west wall of the 14thc. choir (synod hall).

The outer order arch is carved with penannular forms with cross bands meeting a flat band along the arris. The N light, central light, and all three orders of the S light are badly defaced.

W face

On the N sill there are 15 plain rounded bosses. On the S sill there are 14 rounded bosses.

The two central jambs are intricately carved with vertical friezes of incised sculpture. Of fine-grained white sandstone.

The jambs are described from the lowermost courses upward.

W face, Jamb 1

Carved on jamb and splay with a triple band.

Arch 1

A round-headed arch with splayed soffit. The arch is carved with a row of hyphenated lozenges on face and soffit. The hyphens and lozenges are formed by flat bands flanked on either side by squared beading. The centres of the lozenges are filled with four petalled floral motifs with central pellet and pointed petals. On the face the design is framed on either side by a broad plain bands and fillets. On the soffit the design is framed at the arris by a similar moulding, and along the outer edge by a plain band. On the N side the springer is carved with a curved form. One voussoir has an circular pattern with beading and three interlocking S-curls with rounded terminals on the face. (w. 0.18m).

W face, Jamb 2, N splay

Constructed from 11 blocks.

Blocks 1–3 are carved with a vertical undulating stem with bifurcating tendril offshoots. These large tendrils with multi-lobate forms alternate with smaller plant forms with two or three lobes.

Block 4 is carved with a biped placed vertically and viewed in profile. The animal’s jaws are open; the upper jaw is bilobate and the lower jaw has a clubbed terminal. Its eye is an ovoid shape. It has a curved, detached ear and two curvilinear lappets attached to the side of the head. There are curvilinear forms representing a mane on the body. There is a clubbed terminal at the hip area and the hind leg terminates in a claw and two pads. The tail is curvilinear. On the E side of the panel is a snake head seen in plan, with round eyes and a snout, its body terminating between the jaws of the biped. The remaining space on the panel is filled with pellets and triangular forms.

Blocks 5–11 are carved with a running foliage motif consisting of an undulating stem with tendril offshoots. These plant motifs are multilobate. Above this are two interlocking C-curls attached to a bifuricating tendril that in turn has a spiral and a rounded lobe above. Alternating with the plant forms are small lobes. On the E side of the pattern are two penannular motifs, the upper with a plain, circular centre, the lower with a trilobate motif and additional appendage with clubbed terminal. This motif is attached, by a horizontal tendril, to the main foliate motif. The central penannular form has a rosette formed from a central pellet and three layers of eight petals.

W face, Jamb 2

Constructed from 11 blocks.

blocks 1–3 are carved with zoomorphic interlace consisting of four bipeds seen in profile interlaced by snakes seen in plan. The uppermost biped has open jaws with clubbed terminals, a double strand of interlace attached to its lower jaw. Within the mouth are eight rectangular teeth. There is an ovoid-shaped eye and detached pointed ear. The main is formed from four curvilinear forms. There is a detached forefoot with double claw and pad. The hind leg is double contoured and terminates with a double claw and pad foot. The tail is partially defaced, and is double stranded, terminating in a clubbed form. The body of the biped is hatched, and outlined by beading. To the N of the animal's head are nine pellets. The second biped has an inverted head with features similar to the first, but without the teeth. The foreleg terminates with a single claw and pad, and the hind leg terminates in a double claw and pad. The tail is treated in a similar manner to the first biped. The body is partly outlined by squared pellets and partly double contoured. The third biped has a snout with two curvilinear lappets. The forefoot is defaced; the hind foot has two claws and a pad. The body is double-contoured and filled with various geometric forms. The hindquarters are filled with pellets. The double-stranded tail terminates with a clubbed form. Above the hindquarters is a detached c-curl. The head of the lowermost biped is inverted with two curvilinear lappets extending from its jaw and a truncated oval eye. The foreleg is partially double-stranded and terminates with a pad and claw foot. The hindquarters have a clubbed form in the hip area and a double stranded hind leg with a curved foot with a pad and two claws. The body is double-contoured and is filled with clubbed forms. There is an additional detached hind leg with two claws and pad which interlaces with this animal's double-stranded tail. Below the attached hind leg are six beads. The three interlacing snakes are all double-stranded. Two of the snakes have rounded and double-contoured snouts and round eyes, and clubbed tails.

Block 4 is carved with a figurative scene. The scene consists of three figures, that to the N of the panel is depicted frontally and is human. That to the S of the panel is depicted in profile and is zoomorphic in character. Between them is a small animal. The human figure has a roughly circular head with deep-set ovoid eyes, a broad nose and downturned mouth. Two inward curling forms are placed on the top of its head, indicating either a cap or hair. Two ears are arranged high on the head, and inverted club forms on the chin appear to indicate a beard. The figure is wearing a full-length long sleeved garment with a vertical slit at the collar, cuffs at the end of the sleeves and tied at the waist by a knotted belt, its end hanging freely on the skirt. The feet are out-turned. The thumb of the left hand is extended and rests on the thigh of the creature to the S In its right hand the human figure holds a sword with a groove on the blade and a simple cross-guard with a flattened pommel which it thrusts into the open jaws of a small creature. The creature has clubbed jaws an ovoid eye, and detached ear, most of its body is hidden behind the skirt of the human figure. The creature to the S has a large curved nose, and open jaws with five rectangular teeth. The eye is ovoid. Seven curvilinear forms resembling flames extend from the back of the head possibly representing hair. The figure is naked with the leg joint clearly marked, and curved feet. The right hand is carved with fingers and thumb, the index finger extended. The left hand is lowered and has a claw, a pad and a clubbed terminal. A c-curl and pellets behind the creature probably represent a tail. The space between the heads of the two principle figures is filled with a sub-triangular floral motif. Four pellets fill the other spaces left behind the figures.

Block 5 is carved with a rosette motif consisting of a central pellet with five rounded and 15 spatulate petals radiating from it.

Blocks 6–8 are carved with a zoomorphic interlace design consisting of four bipeds seen in profile interlaced with four snakes seen in plan. The bipeds all have double contoured bodies. One has an inverted head and two have rounded snouts. Three have an ovoid eye. The second biped from the bottom has a hatched body. All have bent forelegs, two terminating with a claw and two pads, two with one pad and one claw. All four have curved hindquarters terminating in a claw and two pads. Their tails are double-stranded, three with clubbed terminals, one with a rounded terminal. Three of the snakes have double stranded bodies, one is double-contoured. Two of the tails have rounded terminals, one is clubbed, and one is defaced. Eight pellets are randomly scattered throughout the interlace.

Block 9 is carved with two bipeds seen in profile, one with a frontally positioned, human face. The human face has ovoid eyes, nostrils and a beard. A curved form above the head may represent hair. The larger body is double-contoured and has a mane formed from curvilinear forms with clubbed terminals. The forequarters are marked by a small spiral and terminate with a pad and claw foot. The hindquarters are also marked by a spiral and the hind foot has two pads and a claw. The curling tail has a trilobate terminal. Beneath the human face is a smaller biped with open jaws with clubbed terminals. This biped has an ovoid eye, its foreleg extends under the chin of the human face, terminating in a bilobe form with rounded terminals. Its hatched body passes under that of the larger biped and its hindquarters terminate a single claw and pad. The tail has a rounded terminal.

Block 10 is carved with a broad vertical stem with cross band. Projecting from the stem to N and S are six secondary stems, the upper four five-petalled flowers with sub-triangular petals. The bottom two stems support large flat pointed leaves. Smaller lobes sprout from the main vertical stem between the secondary stems.

Block 11 is carved with an anthropomorphic mask combined with plant forms. The mask consists of ovoid eyes, and broad curving eyebrows with clubbed terminals. There is an elongated triangular nose with three chevron grooves and nostrils. A stem curls out from either nostril from which sprouts a quatrefoiled plant form on either side of the mask.

W face, Jamb 2, S splay

Constructed from 11 blocks:

Blocks 1–3 are carved with a vertical undulating stem from which sprout tendrils with bifuricating plant motifs. Alternating with these are smaller stylised plant motifs attached directly to the stem.

Block 4 is carved with a vertically positioned biped seen in profile. The biped is open-mouthed with a clubbed terminal on one jaw, and a rounded terminal on the other. The eye is ovoid in shape, and there is a small detached ear with appendage situated over it. A curved, hatched lappet on the top of the head may be intended as a second ear. The forequarters are defaced, the hindquarters terminate in a pad and claw. There is a bifurcating tail. The body of the biped is double contoured and hatched. Three clubbed forms indicate a mane. A stylised plant form on a double stem crosses the body from between the leg and jaws. There is a circular pellet between the hind legs and the tail.

Blocks 5–11 are carved with an undulating stem with 21 stylised leaf-forms sprouting from it on tendrils. Alternating with the tendrils are small rounded knobs attached directly to the stem. On the E side of the pattern are three penannular forms, the upper one containing circular form, the central one with a lobed form and the lower one containing a stylised plant motif, attached by a curved tendril to the principal plant motif.

Arch 2

A round-headed arch with splayed soffit carved on face and soffit with a running scroll of stylised foliage consisting principally of pellets and lobes with pointed and rounded terminals. There are pellets between the plant motifs on the arris side. There is a plain band on the outer edge on the face. (w. 0.21m).

W face, Jamb 3, N splay

Constructed from 10 blocks.

Blocks 1–5 are carved with 16 vertical bipeds seen in profile. The upper biped has open jaws, a lappet, and a truncated oval shape for an eye. The foreleg and curved hindquarters terminate with a double pad and claw and the tail with a rounded terminal. There is a detached leg with double claw and pad which interlaces with the body, hind leg and tail. Below this are 14 bipeds that interlace with the head of the uppermost biped. Eight have rounded snouts, six have clubbed snouts and one snout is defaced. Half have ovoid eyes. Others have truncated oval shapes for eyes. Eight forelegs terminate in a claw and two pads, and seven in a claw and one pad. The hindquarters of nine bipeds are curved, and terminate with double pad and claw, two have a claw and one pad, two have two pads and two claws, one has one claw and three pads and one has a pad and clubbed terminal. 11 tails have clubbed terminals, two are rounded and the remainder are obscured. Close to the top of the panel there are two rounded pellets on the E side and one on the W side. At the base there are five pellets.

Blocks 6–10 are carved with running foliage that springs from the open jaws of a biped below. The plant motif consists of an undulating stem with cross bands from which stem multilobate tendrils, some with pellet ornament.

W face, Jamb 3

Constructed from 10 blocks.

Blocks 1–6 are carved with a zoomorphic interlace pattern consisting of 12 bipeds interlacing with one another in a spiral formation, and snakes seen in plan looped around them. The uppermost biped has opened jaws with clubbed terminals that hold a circular object. The lower jaw has an interlacing lappet. It has an ovoid eye, and detached pointed ear. There is a mane formed from clubbed forms. The fore foot is a flattened clubbed terminal and the hindquarters terminate in a double pad and claw. The tail has a rounded terminal. The other 11 bipeds are treated as follows; five have snouts with clubbed terminals, two with a small pellet, six have open jaws with clubbed terminals, three with a small pellet and one with a lobe between the jaws. Five have an ovoid eye, and one has two lightly incised round eyes. One has a rounded ear. Seven forefeet have a claw and one pad, three have a claw and two pads and one has a claw and three pads. Nine bipeds have curved hindquarters terminating in a claw and one pad. Six tails have rounded terminals, four have clubbed terminals and one is cut off by wooden panelling. The 12 snakes have rounded snouts, 10 tails are clubbed and two rounded. 27 pellets are scattered amongst the interlace.

Blocks 7–10 are carved with a foliate pattern consisting of two undulating stems gathered by cross bands in three places to form a chain pattern. A mixture of tendril, foliate and floral motifs spring from the stems.

W face, Jamb 3, S splay

Constructed from 10 blocks.

Blocks 1–5 are carved with zoomorphic interlace consisting of 16 bipeds seen in profile, the tails and legs of 15 interlacing with one biped as the base of the design. The lowermost biped has a rounded snout, ovoid eye and forefoot with claw and two pads, the remainder of it is cut off by wooden panelling. The remaining bipeds have the following features: ten have rounded snout, four have clubbed terminals, and two have open jaws with clubbed terminals. Only nine have carved eyes, mainly ovoid in shape. Nine forelegs terminate in a claw and two pads, three have a claw and one pad and two have flattened club terminals and one has no foreleg. The curved hindquarters of 11 terminate in a claw and two pas, two in two claws and two pads and two have flattened clubbed terminals. 12 biped's tails have a clubbed terminal, two have rouded terminals and one is defaced.

Blocks 6–10 are carved with a running foliage motif springing from the open jaws of biped below. The undulating stem is carved with cross bands and has tendril and stylised plant appendages.

W face, Jamb 3, N splay

Carved with three plain bands.

Arch

Both face and soffit are carved with hyphenated discs. The discs and hyphens are formed from flat bands flanked by a row of beading. On the face the design is flanked by a row of beading. On the soffit the design is flanked on the arris side by a bead and band moulding, and on the outer edge by a row of beading. On the face the pattern terminates in interlocking c-curls surmounted by a triangular form. On the soffit the pattern terminates with a beaded V-shape between two lobes. The label is undecorated and rectangular in section. There are three carved voussoirs at the N springing of the label and five at the S springing. The W faces of the N voussoirs are carved with s-curls and curved strands. The soffits are carved with hyphenated curves and floral motifs. The voussoirs at the S springing are carved in a similar manner. (w. 0.21m ).

(ii) Blocked opening

A blocked opening in the south wall of the chancel, now covered by paint and plaster.

The base comprises a plain rectangular block bordered above by a torus moulding.

Plain engaged octagonal shaft with five sides showing.

The capital is carved on the face with a type of 'spoon-bill' chevron motif alternated with motifs with pointed terminals and cross-bands. There are two curved triangular forms above and a torus moulding below.

The arch is plain and partially obscured by a wooden stringcourse.

The label is plain and rectangularl, partially obscured by a wooden stringcourse and cut off where it abuts the E wall.

Dimensions

(iii) Aumbry

Round headed opening constructed from red sandstone blocks with diagonal tooling.

Dimensions

(iv) Reset stone

Carved block incorporated into the interior of the S wall of the chancel 0.23m W of the 19thc. S window and 0.65m above present floor level. Carved in low relief on the visible face of the stone is a vertical band of lozenges flanked by rectangular beading. Along one side is a moulding of v-profile.

Dimensions

(v) Reset stones

Two carved red sandstone blocks situated roughly 7.5m above ground level in the fabric of the W end of the N exterior wall of the gothic choir of the cathedral. The blocks are carved with a pattern consisting of three flat roll mouldings flanked by narrow wedges.

Dimensions

(vi) Reset stone

Carved block incorporated into the S exterior face of the wall surrounding the cathedral at ground level. Carved with six plain horizontal bands of pointed section, four of which are partially defaced. At one end of the block are four rounded depressions, possibly caused by weathering.

Dimensions

VII History

A monastery was founded in Tuam by St Jarlath during the 6thc. In the 12thc. Tuam became particularly important as one of the principal residences of the O'Connor kings of Connaght. During the reign of Turlough O'Connor (1106–1156) the dynasty met with particular military and political success leading up Turlough's claim to the title of Ard Rí of Ireland. Turlough was also a patron of the arts, commissioning the Cross of Cong between 1119 and 1136 which was designed to enshrine a fragment of the True Cross which Turlough himself had obtained. At Tuam, with the abbot, he enlarged the monastic enclosure in 1127, and 13 years later founded an Augustinian priory there. He was also involved in the erection of two high crosses. On account of its royal connections Tuam was actively involved with the 12thc. church reform, and Turlough's patronage of the monastery was probably a calculated effort to acquire a metropolitan see. In 1152 Aedan O'Oissin, comarb or abbot of Tuam became the first archbishop.

Turlough was succeeded by his son Rory (1158–98). Rory became Ard Rí in 1166 and despite the Anglo Norman invasion and a Norman raid on Tuam in 1177, maintained authority in his own kingdom at least until 1183, when family feuding weakened his position. In 1184 there is a record in the Annals of Lough Cé that the ‘great church of Tuaim-da-ghualann fell in one day, both roof and stone’, suggesting that the current chancel probably belongs to the replacement structure. The early chancel has survived being incorporated into two later buildings. There are few descriptions of the chancel prior to the 19thc. The construction of the gothic choir can be dated to 1312 when the Dean was granted 'relaxation of a hundred days of enjoined penance to those who contribute to the rebuilding of Tuam Cathedral, begun by the late Archbishop William [de Birmingham, 1289–1312] and continued by the Dean Philip, who petitions for aid to complete it'. The choir was built eastwards of the early chancel and a 'chapter room' was constructed off the N wall. In 1555 it was stated that the cathedral at Tuam was 'properly furnished', but its belfry was in ruins. In 1561 David Wolfe, the Papal Legate in Ireland stated that the cathedral had been used as a fortress for the local gentry for over three hundred years and that they stabled their horses in it . The cathedral was redecorated shortly after John de Burgo became Catholic Archbishop in 1647. In 1688 Archbishop Vesey rebuilt the tower, an event recorded by a plaque on the new build, other minor repair works may also have been carried out at this time. The earliest surviving written description of the cathedral in c. 1672 by John Lynch describes the building as falling down. It appears that the original nave, belonging to the early church survived until the mid 18thc. when it was destroyed by fire. In the early 19thc. the chancel was converted into a porch for the gothic choir. The span of the arch was filled with a wooden door and an inner doorway was cut through the central light of the E window. Writing in 1845, Petrie noted that the cathedral was in a ruinous state. In 1863 the construction of a new cathedral around the existing fabric was commenced by Thomas N. Deane.

VIII Comments/Opinions

The Romanesque sculpture at Tuam cathedral is amongst the highest quality and best-preserved in the country. The chevron motifs on the chancel arch find their closest parallels at Killaloe where the cogwheel chevron is particularly close in form, and the otherwise unusual cross bands on the apices of the chevron is also found.

The E window is also unusual. It is amongst the earliest examples of a triple-light window in the country. Earlier examples may have existed in a Cistercian context at Jerpoint and Boyle, but are unlikely to have had anything like the elaborate decoration found on the Tuam windows.

IX Bibliography