Murphy — On Two Monastic Seals. 



37a 



Ireland'), and Eichard Tuite founded a stone castle in Athlone, 

 wherein there was a tower of stone built ; which soon after fell and 

 killedj^the said Richard Tuite, with eight Englishmen. My author 



I 



Fig. 2. 



sayeth that this befell by the miracles of St. Queran, of St. Peter 

 and St. Paul, upon whose laud the said castle was built." JSTothing 

 whatever remains of the monastery; but the name of the patron is 

 retained in the parish of St. Peter. 



The legend round the edge of the seal is : 



•^ S PEIOKIS SCI PETEI DE ATHLOYN. 



In the upper part of the field the P. Y. Mary supports with her 

 left arm the Child Jesus, whose right hand is raised in blessing : his 

 head is surrounded with a nimbus. In the lower part, under a 

 canopy, a priest fully vested, wearing the wide chasuble, more in 

 use in former times than now, stands at an altar, saying Mass. 

 His left hand holds a chalice covered with the pall. His right is 

 raised, making the sign of the cross over it, with only the two first 

 fingers extended, a manner of blessing now used only by bishops. 

 A tall cross is on the altar in front of him. 



This seal came into my possession some years ago, having been 

 given me by the person who found it, on what was formerly abbey 

 land, near the Shannon. I have given it to the Museum. 



