| Adjoining the south cross is Cormac's chapel and hall of audience; a relick of our ancient architecture, well worthy the antiquarian's close observation. The first room is about 53 feet by 19; the sides decorated by rows of slender columns one above the other, supporting semicircular arches richly ornamented. In the east end is a large niche, which formerly, they tell us, contained the regal throne, // but I think more probably an altar; the roof is vaulted; and, over the niche, is enriched with skulls of various animals, whimsically delineated, but boldly sculptured. I observed the remains of some bass reliefs and painted plaster, probably a species of fresco; for, notwithstanding there is not any mention made of the art of painting being in use in the earlier ages, yet the silence of history is by no means a proof of its non-existence. Fresco, of all the branches of the art, is most perishable; depending not only on heat and dryness, but on the firmness and durability of the surface on which it is laid: and when we consider the constant succession of miseries brought on this country by ceaseless warfare, in which our ancient buildings always suffered by burning and plundering, &c. we need not wonder at finding few or no vestiges of the art surviving the general wreck: and where an excellent skill in architecture existed, as is demonstrable in the present in- // stance, why should we discourage the idea of the sister art having an infantine existence at the same period? From the hall, a small staircase leads to an apartment over it of the same length and breadth, but not so high; the roof, composed of one semicircular arch, admirably built, and perfect as the first day, having resisted the tooth of time now nearly 900 years, being built by Cormac M'Culenan, anno 901, and is the only original part of the great building; the church being rebuilt by Donald O'Brien, King of Limerick, about the year 1167. [pp. 24-26] |
