97 



crook, or cambutta, and the other the crutch-headed staff — two very 

 distinct insignia of pastoral rank, and which are frequently carved on 

 our decorated standard crosses. Directly in front of each figure is a 

 large ball, which is evidently being tossed from one to the other by the 

 ends of their respective staves ; and I cannot help hazarding the con- 

 jecture, that here we have a representation of some game as practised 

 by the clergy or their attendants, which we might call ecclesiastical 

 croquet. 



No. 73. Plan of the Abbey church of Duleek, Co. Meath. 

 No. 74. East window of the same. 



No. 75. Tablet commemorative of the building of the east window 

 of the same church, in 1587. 



No. 76. Font at the same church. 



No. 77. Effigy carved in low relief on tomb slab, now lying in the 

 chancel of the abbey church. The date of this carving cannot be 

 older than the 16th century. The costume of the figure is rather 

 singular; it consists of a loose garment reaching to the ankles, with 

 tight sleeves. Over this is another and still looser dress reaching to 

 the knees, and over all is a long full cloak fitting tightly to the throat, 

 and thrown open, to show the inner clothing. The right hand rests on 

 the right hip, while the left hand grasps a massive crook-headed staff, 

 the curve pointing outwards. The mitre is of lofty proportions, and 

 apparently devoid of any ornament or jewellery, if we except two broad 

 ribbons which flutter behind it. Over the right shoulder is a shield 

 without armorial bearings, but surmounted by a helmet in profile, and 

 crested with a mermaid holding aloft the comb and glass. In the old 

 church of Tristernagh, near Edgeworthstown, a tombstone to the me- 

 mory of the family of Me ares (or Mares) bears for crest a mermaid. I 

 offer this fact for what it is worth in aiding to determine the name of 

 the ecclesiastic whose tomb I have described. 



No. 78. The Cross of Duleek. This is not, properly speaking, 

 a cross, but rather a rectangular monolith, with decorated apex. 

 An inscription on its S. W. face states that it was 'builded' by 

 Jenet Dowdall, wife to William Bathe, of Athcarn, .Justice of Her Ma- 

 jesties Court of Common ' Plees,' for him and her a. n. 1601. He de- 

 ceased the 25th of October, 1599." This pillar is decorated on its N.W. 

 and K E. faces by rude full-length figures of saints, the lowest being 

 that of St. Kenane, the patron of Duleek. 



~No. 79. Tablet commemorative of the building of the bridge of Du- 

 leek in 1587. 



JSTo. 80. Tablet from the old barn (? bawn) of Belle wstown, bearing 

 the arms of Bellewe and Nugent. 



No. 81. Tablet from Mr. Maxwell's garden at Bellewstown, bearing 

 the arms of Bellewe and Plunket, and the date 1598. 



No. 82. Plan of the old chapel of the barn of Bellewstown, erected 

 at the close of the 16th century by Sir John Bellewe, Knight. This 

 building is now used as a stable attached to the house and farm yard of 

 Mr. Maxwell. 



