The Islands of Ireland: Knight to remember on Clare Island

Dan MacCarthy discusses dragons and knights found on Clare Island, Co Mayo

Biblical dramas adorn our churches and enrich our understanding of art, paintings of a benevolent or agonised Christ, of Madonna and child, of apostolic anguish, beatific cherubs, and many others form a rich tapestry. However, there is another narrative, less religious and more secular, that also forms part of the artistic and literary discourse. Less god-fearing, more nature-worshipping. Less ethereal, more earthy. And on Clare Island, Co Mayo it can be seen in all its glory in the island’s medieval church.

For here in St Brigid’s Abbey you find depictions of dragons and griffons, stags stalked by wolves, a cockerel, a cattle raid, and a knight on horseback poised to go into battle. The paintings represent ideas current and historic and create a vivd picture of imagined life in 16th century Ireland.