Lynch’s Castle is an iconic landmark in Galway city. Works on the Abbeygate Street Upper Frontage discovered a previously unnoticed masons mark.
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- Lynch’s Castle Galway City
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- A photograph of Lynch’s Castle, Shop Street, Galway; this photograph is part of the Lawrence collection at Galway library (places.galwaylibrary.ie)
The masons mark was found carved onto the cusped spadrels of a small blocked Gothic window at 1st floor level on the Abbeygate Street Upper side of the building. This is one of the few windows in their original location.
Heart shaped masons mark at Lynch’s Castle (image Jim Higgins)
The masons mark is a small incised heart. I wonder has anyone come across anything similar?
Reference
Higgins, J. 2014. A Mason with a Heart: A Newly Discovered Masons’ Mark At Lynch’s Castle, Galway. Galway Heritage Vol. 37, p9.
Pilgrimage In Medieval Ireland 
Can’t help draw the similarity between this and the heart in Kings Lynn market, norfolk, as mentioned before: The market place was famous for a trial of an alledged witch, Margaret Read in 1590. Legend has it that her heart burst from her body as she was burnt at the stake, and it hit a nearby wall. The spot is marked with a commemorative brick in a diamond shape with an heart carved into the centre of it. Her ghost is said to haunt the Tudor Rose Hotel.
More likely a mason mark now I think!
Oh how interesting thanks so much for sharing
Thanks so much for sharing very interesting great story