Abbey of Tristernaugh, Co. Westmeath - Bigari, Angelo Maria; Turner, Joseph Reverend (National Library of Ireland, 1970)
Antiquities of Abbeys, Castles & c. & c. in Ireland, Vol. II
'This is a copy of Angelo Maria Bigari's drawing seen on 2122 TX (3) 30, see cgjc1170. An inscription that accompanies this image is as follows: "Tristernagh which in Irish means a place of thorns or briers was built (Henry II) by Geoffrey de Constanton and at dissolution was given to the Piers family. In 1780 the steeple was 74 feet high. Not a vestige now remains (1875)". The drawing is a view of the 13th century Augustinian priory of Tristernagh, County Westmeath, Ireland, showing the nave in the centre. The abbey is dominated by the tower which rises above its arches into an octagon shape. The text accompanying the engraving in Grose's Antiquities tells us that the building was demolished in 1783, so Bigari only got there just in time. It is difficult to determine what the nature of the ceremony to the right of the picture is. This ceremony shows people dancing around a person standing on a dais, holding in his arms a pole, possibly with a figure on top.' (www.nli.ie)
Keywords: Tristernaugh Abbey; Art -- Irish; Drawing -- Irish; Ruins in art; Abbeys -- Ireland -- Pictorial works.; Westmeath (Ireland) -- Buildings, structures, etc.; Westmeath (Ireland) -- Social life and customs.; Clothing and Dress -- Ireland -- History; 18th century