Rory O'Tunny

Rory O'Tunny
Born
Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland
NationalityIrish

Rory O'Tunny (fl. c. 1520 – 1542; Irish: Ruaidrí Ó Tonnaigh, Latin: Roricus Otunne; other spellings include Ruoricus, Otyuny, Otwyne, Otuyne, Otyyne[1]) was an Irish sculptor.

Tomb of the knight Piers Fitz Oge Butler sculpted by O'Tunny.

Rory was born into a family of sculptors, said to have originated in Callan, County Kilkenny. According to his own signature in Kilcooly Abbey, his father's name was Patrick.[1] Rory was primarily a sculptor of tombs, some of which he signed. Among his more prominent works are three tombs in Kilcooly Abbey, the resting place of Sir John Grace and his wife, Honora Brenach, at Grace's Chapel, Tullaroan, County Kilkenny, and the tombs of Robert Walsh and his wife, Katherine Poer, at Jerpoint Abbey. He also carved the Trinity Stone once housed in St. Mary's Church, Callan,[2] now in the Catholic Church in Callan.

  • Rory's signature in Jerpoint Abbey (upside down)
    Rory's signature in Jerpoint Abbey (upside down)
  • Throne of Mercy or Trinity Stone in Callan
    Throne of Mercy or Trinity Stone in Callan
  • Inscription on grave of John Grace at Saint Canice's Cathedral
    Inscription on grave of John Grace at Saint Canice's Cathedral

Further reading

  • Dr. Danielle O'Donovan: The O'Tunneys and their 'Other' Work at Callan, in: Callan 800 (1207-2007) History & Heritage, Companion Volume, 2013, pp. 13-22.
  • Breda Lynch, 'The 'Jerpoint' baptismal font' in: In the Shadow of the Steeple 11 (2012), pp. 170-179.

References

  1. ^ a b "Rory O'Tunny, Sculptor". LibraryIreland. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  2. ^ Strickland, Henry G. A Dictionary of Irish Artists. Maunsel & Company, Limited, Dublin and London. 1913.

RTÉ Report on the O'Tunny sculptures http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0823/nationwide_av.html?2807072,null,228[dead link]


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