Subject: Request for information on Catholic Priest mentioned on 17th century
silver chalice from County Mayo, Ireland.
I am at present preparing an academic article on a 17th century silver chalice
from Co. Mayo in Ireland. Althought the main focus of the paper is
archaeological, I have experienced problems in finding any historical reference
to its' benefactor: James Flanelly. Among the typical decorations that include a
crucifixion scene, and a number of fleur-de-lys, the piece bears an inscription
in Latin (the diagonal strokes [/] indicate where the inscription is broken up
over five of the six facets of the foot - the other bears the crucifixion
scene):
"Jacobus / flanelly me / fieri: fecit / anno dni / 1647"
[James Flanelly had me to be made in the year of our lord 1647]
My problem is this: Although there are records attesting to the long invlovment
of the Flanelly family with the Catholic Church in this area of the country
from the 12th century onwards, there is no certain James Flanelly that I can
find who could possibly have been alive during the mid 1600s.
I have, however, located references to two people of that name, either of whom
just may have been in a position to commission such a piece. The first is a Fr.
James O'Flannelly of Castleconor Parish, in the Barony of Tireragh who is
listed in a General Pardon of 1603 in the Parent Rolls of James I.
The second person of the name (and the more likely of the two) is mentioned in
volume 3 of the "Scritture riferite nie congressi, Irlanda" in the Vatican's
Propaganda Archives. The Archives contain a copy of a letter of 1672 addressed
to "the Very Rev. Sir James Flanily and the clergy of Killala". Unfortunately,
I have been unable to find any documentary evidence relating to this person or
the clergy of Mayo at this time.
If anyone has any ideas on where I might look ... or indeed who I might
contact, I would be delighted to hear from you - and to include an
acknowledgement if this is ever published!
Please contact me directly at: robert.chapple@ucg.ie