St Catherine - 15th C

This oaks statue of St Catherine of Alexandria originated in Kilcorban Third Order Dominican priory. It is of late medieval probably fifteenth century date. It is painted in a rich polychrome and exhibits two of the saints attributes – the mill wheel and sword referring to St Catherine’s martyrdom. The cloak is fastened with a typical Irish style ring brooch similar in style to one depicted on a stone effigy of St Catherine on the west doorway of Clontuskert Augustinian Abbey. Both are contemporary. This statue is on public display in the Clonfert Diocesan Museum in Loughrea.(Christy Cunniffe)