Labelled in the catalogue as "Abbey Trench's Tablet, Galway City, Co. Galway", this is the kind of detail that Morning Mary loves to find and shoot herself - so really looking forward to finding out more about the Tablet and Abbey Trench (whoever he was?).
Very quickly we learned that the catalogue transcription was likely an error, and that this is not "Trench's Tablet", but "French's Tablet" (in more ways than one). Likely photographed by Robert French in the late-19th or early-20th century, this engraving is part of what remains of the 17th century tomb of the family of Peter French (d.1630s) and his wife Mary Browne. With thanks to
sharon.corbet and
O Mac we learned that the tomb was destroyed by Cromwellian forces in the mid-17th century. But parts of it incorporated into the walls of the Franciscan Abbey at Francis Street in Galway during the late-18th century. Our intrepid roving reporter
O Mac went and captured a
"today" shot of the same plaque - confirming that it is still in place. Although with the detail more weathered since French's shot 100+ years prior....
Photographer:
Robert French
Collection:
Lawrence Photograph Collection
Date: Circa 1865 - 1914
NLI Ref:
L_ROY_05046
You can also view this image, and many thousands of others, on the NLI’s catalogue at
catalogue.nli.ie
Info:
Owner:
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Source:
Flickr Commons
Views: 23063
sharon.corbet
I think that's supposed to be "French" rather than Trench - it says "Sir Piter French Mary Browne" on it, after all.
O Mac
The Abbey. St. Francis Street. Galway.. www.flickr.com/photos/chethams_library/9038815615/in/albu...
sharon.corbet
1652 The friars of this house were banished and the monuments and works of the abbey were defaced by Cromwell's soldiery. The marble tomb of Sir Peter French knt which was richly gilt and adorned sculptures was entirely destroyed part of the polished marble was by governor Stubbers into chimney pieces and the remainder sent England and disposed of at a considerable price. and Part of the under works of this monument were dug up about the year 1779 and by order of father Anthony Carrol a pious and learned Franciscan were placed in the wall of the sacristy and near the lower entrance to the chapel In the latter are sculptured figures of saint Patrick and saint Nicholas the patron of the town with the family arms of Browne and crest of French beneath which are engraved the names Peter French and Mary Browne. From here which is dicussing the Franciscan Friary in Galway.
Swordscookie
Those Republicans have a lot to answer for! Exquisite carving on this, really fine workmanship to survive so long!
sharon.corbet
The doorway of Sir Peter's House on Market St. was still there in the early 20th Century. It had coat of arms of both French and Browne as well.
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] I can't get your links to open..???
sharon.corbet
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] That was weird. I'm not sure whether that was me or Flickr. They should be okay now.
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] Thanks.. good description of the slab on page 105 ....seems it was one end of French's tomb and is 5ft wide...next time I'm up town I'll go look for it. I think it's in the Franciscan Abbey on St. Francis Street.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Looking at the crest on the panel the one on the left of the shield is that of the French family but the one on the right half does not appear to be that of the Browne!
sharon.corbet
And now I realise that I managed to find the wrong link the second time - the bit about the doorway on Market Street is here.
sharon.corbet
[https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland] You find the same on the "Browne Doorway" in Galway - namely ‘argent an eagle displayed sable’.
O Mac
Ffrench Doorway on Market Street. www.flickr.com/photos/chethams_library/9038820369/in/albu...
O Mac
The stone can be see on the gable wall to the left of the monks under the small arched window . 25" OSI www.flickr.com/photos/chethams_library/9038814735/in/albu...
oaktree_brian_1976
1872 description: books.google.ca/books?id=leE4AQAAMAAJ&lpg=PA99&ot... The Rev. Martin Hologhan, Waterford, through Mr. Prim, presented photographs of two monuments at the Franciscan Abbey, Galway. One the tomb of William de Burgo, 1644; the other a tablet with armorial bearings of Sir Peter French and Mary Browne. his wife, of the same period, the supporters of the shield being figures representing St. Patrick and St. Nicholas, Bishop of Moyra, patron saint of the diocese of Galway.
oaktree_brian_1976
St. Patrick and St. Nicholas on either side. Coat of armour of Mr. French and Mrs. Browne French was the mayor of Galway. :Peter French, Esq., mayor of Galway in 1570 (18 Eliz), m. Mary, sister of William Martin, Esq., and had tire sons, Peter (who had a son, John); Francis, of whom presently; Robert, of Galway; Nicbolas; and Jasper. Peter French, whose will, dated '24 Sept. 1584, was proved in Dublin, was interred at Galway, and a sum of £5000 was expended on his monument, which adorned the church there until destroyed in Cromwell's time, by Colonel Stubbcr, then governor of the town. This monument was executed in Italy, and is described in tho Annnal of Galway to have been of " rayre sculpture and guildcd with goldc. " books.google.ca/books?id=u6IaAAAAYAAJ&dq=sir%20peter%...
sharon.corbet
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] I don't think that's the correct Peter French - one of the Galway Historical and Archaeological articles I linked to above is about Sir Peter French and mentions that he was knighted in 1623, and died in 1631. This Peter French was married to Mary Browne, daughter of Geoffrey Browne, alderman of Galway.
O Mac
It's still at the Abbey on St Francis Street, Galway but has lost a lot of detail over the past 100+years. It's a pity this and the other stones there are out in the weather. They are displayed on a wall which is exposed to the S.W which is a bit silly. www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/25406363322/in/datepos...
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
Brilliant - Thanks https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]. Did you go down there today especially? Was waiting on confirmation of location before updating the map - but am happy to do so now. Have updated the description, tags, etc also to try and capture the other sterling work...
O Mac
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland Sure I only live across the river. There are dozens of such stones there hidden away from the world.
oaktree_brian_1976
https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected] oh well. Thought I had a slam dunk on this one.
National Library of Ireland on The Commons
I have been adding photos to our 50,000+ Views Album as they pass the mark, we are up to 148 now - have a look at the album if you have a moment. www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland/albums/72157651136879037