CO-SMCY-0800

In "Observations on a Journey" by Thomas Dineley in 1681, it has been described thus: "This following (sketch of effigy) is of the aforementioned Thomas Parys, in the same chappel without inscription, holding a pigeon in his hand. Which because it hath nothing of a warrior about it, I rather took it for the figure of a monk in his weeds and the bird to represent the Holy Ghost, than to believe the groundless tradition of the townsmen."

In Samuel Hayman's "Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Youghal" (1854), this effigy is described thus: "Beneath the arch is a recumbent effigy of some distinguished, but now unknown, personage. It is that of a man, seemingly advanced in life, clad in a loose tunic of long drapery wholly unornamented. His head reposes on a pillow. The countenance is inexpressibly benign, yet dignified. The hair is short, and the chin beardless. He holds a falcon to denote his rank ; and his feet rest upon a talbot. This effigy, which had many years since been taken out of the arch, and which lay, at different times, in different parts of the church, was, Jan. 19, 1853, restored to its original position, never, we hope, to be again disturbed."

A modern plaque placed beside this effigy reads : "Thomas Paris, circa 1320, born in the town.With a dove in his hand which was said to be sent as a miracle to notify to the King that he was the principal instrument by which the conquest was made and who afterwards desired no reward but privileges to this town, which were granted. The Treasurer of Ireland on the 6th of October 1323 directed payment to be made to Edith Parys of "Le Youghall" for two crannocks of salt."