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Matt Gorman David Doyle

Matt Gorman was a little-known Four of the five headstones at Preban David Doyle of Sheeanamore near David Doyle Headstone 14.2
Wexford stone cutter whose work feature his birds holding clover leaf’s Macreddin carved four headstones at
was influenced by William Higgins and in their beaks (5.4, 9.3, 13.5 and Preban (10.13, 13.10, 14.2 and 17.6).
James Byrne. One of the headstones 13.6). The influence of James Byrne His signature ‘David Doyle Sheanagh’
at Preban is signed Matt Gorman can be seen in the depictions of Christ is lightly carved on the Wybrant
(5.4). Two of the headstones carved on the cross flanked by two figures headstone (14.2). The headstones

by Gorman commemorate the deaths and the sun and moon on either side were all carved between 1808 and
of the Lacey brothers (13.6) and also (13.1). The date range for the Gorman 1820. Three of the headstones all bore
John Byrne (5.4) who were killed on headstones in Preban is 1784-1799. identical delicately carved depictions
the 21st June 1798. of a monstrance within a colonnaded
temple, flanked by another monstrance
Matt Gorman Headstone 13.1 either side which was in turn flanked by

two urns (13.10, 14.2 and 17.6).
Note: ‘Sheanagh’ signature.
Monstrance comes from the Latin
word monstrare, meaning “to show.”
The purpose of the monstrance was
to put on display a consecrated Host

and its development can be traced
back to the 13th century a time
when Eucharistic processions rose
in popularity connected to the new
feast of Corpus Christi. The earliest

headstone in the series by Doyle is from David Doyle Headstone 14.2
1808 and commemorates Eliza Malone Note: Monstrance is illustrated in colonnaded
(10.13). This headstone is much smaller temple
and displays a colonnaded temple
William Higgins surrounded by a sunburst which is

There is one unsigned flanked on both sides by urns. The script
headstone by Wicklow and the distinctive ‘H’ is what identifies
stone cutter William this headstone as Doyle’s work.
Higgins which dates to
1803 in Preban (9.6). The William White
most intriguing element There is one headstone attributed to
is the carving of a human William White at Preban Graveyard

figure waving which Corlett which dates to 1819 (10.4). This signed
suggests may represent the headstone depicts the IHS monogram
departing soul. framed within a colonnaded temple

with a cross in the centre. The carving
is in light relief and two winged angels
William Higgins Headstone 9.6
are either side of the main panel. William White Headstone 10.4

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