A medieval baptismal font that was removed from a church in Drogheda when it was demolished and ended up as a museum exhibit, is to return to use in one of the town’s churches. Fr Denis Nulty, who is parish priest of St Mary’s parish, welcomed the offer of the font that will now be re-located at the altar of his church and revert to its original function.
After St John’s Medieval Church was knocked down, the ornate font was moved temporarily to St Mary’s Church but was bought subsequently by a member of the Old Drogheda Society.
The new owner, Ms Moira Corcoran, who purchased the artefact in the 1980s, ultimately decided to donate it to the Millmount Museum after it was established.
The museum regarded the acquisition as one of its best exhibits and displayed it prominently in the reception area but now has agreed to return the historic font to St Mary’s.
The font is made from sandstone and marble and has eight carved panels depicting Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection and the seven sacraments.
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