The Mace of the ancient Corporation of Athenry, Co. Galway

Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Volume. IX., Part. II, 5th Series.

By W. F. Wakeman, Hon. Fellow.

[Read August 2, 1898.]

At p. 371 of vol. iii. of our Journal, 4th Series, 1874-75, will be found from the pen of the Rev. James Graves, a description, accompanied by a beautifully executed illustration, of the ancient and very curious civic seal of Athenry (” The Ford of the Kings”), a most important stronghold of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. In the same Paper our late distinguished and lamented Secretary offered some remarks upon the subject of a formidable-looking mace (here for the first time figured) which, with the seal, formed part of the insignia of the ancient Corporation of Athenry. Mr. Graves then stated that the Association had to thank Mr. Wakeman, who had procured, through the influence of the Rev. Mark Perrin, the exhibition of these articles ” which were in the keeping of John Blakeny, Esq., of Abbert, county Galway, whose family were formerly patrons of the borough, and that gentleman had intrusted them to Mr. Perrin to lay before the meeting.”

The mace is, as shown in the accompanying etching, of very singular design, being a clenched fist, couped below the wrist, solidly cast in bronze, or antique brass, and mounted on a stout ashen handle. It is probably the oldest object of its class (a civic mace) to be pointed to in the British Isles. The metallic portion measures 4 1/4 inches in length, and 3 1/2 inches across the nuckles. The handle is about 7 inches long, and looks pretty old, but has probably succeeded an elder one, or, perhaps, more than one. The weight of the whole is 1 lb. 14 1/4 oz.

Through several interesting communications presented to our Journal by Mr. Robert Day, of Cork, we are familiar with the appearance of not a few of our old corporation maces. Compared with this Athenry example, however, they would appear to have been designed more for show than use, and may be considered as mere ”baubles,” late in date, and interesting only as examples of silversmith’s work of their respective periods. The Athenry mace was not intended to be used as a toy, or to grace a civic procession. It was a weapon, which, when need required, might prove highly persuasive in the hand of a ” pretty ” man who preferred action to verbal argument.

To the kindness of the Rev. W. H. Browne, Rector of Monivea, near Athenry, I am indebted for the use of an excellent photograph from which the accompanying etching was made.

An account of ” Maces, Swords, and other Insignia of Office of Irish Corporations (chiefly those in the Exhibition of the Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland at Dublin) by John Ribton Garstin, V.P.R.I.A., F.S.A.,” with copious illustrations, was published by that Society last year, (royal 8vo., second issue, price Is.). According to the great work of Messrs. Jewett and Hope on the Corporation Plate, &c, of England and Wales (Introduction), as referred to by Mr. Garstin, p. 5, the weapon described by Mr. Wakernan can scarcely be called a mace. Being only about 11 inches long, it seems more suitable for use as a Chairman’s hammer or ruler for demanding silence or order at meetings. The Royal Irish Academy has a small oak hammer for this duty as well as a bell.