Edward Garret (1793-1857) Headstone (No. 74)

19th-century headstone (H 1.62m x Wth 0.73m x T 0.12m) in Old St. Brendan’s Graveyard (OF035-012002-), in the historic town of Birr (OF035-012----), marking the grave of Edward Garret (Garrett), erected by his wife Anne Garret. The 1821 Census of Birr listed Edward as a brogue (shoe) maker living on Post Office Lane with his wife Anne and their son John Garrett. Above the inscription there is an I H S Christogram with cross rising from the bar of the H framed within a sunburst, flanked on either side by an urn within a blind pointed panel, popular Gothic Revival motif. Above the sunburst the latin motto Gloria In Excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the Highest). Beneath the sunburst there is a leaf motif like a laurel wreath framing the lower half. Four flowering plants are visible flanking the sunburst. In 1854 the Valuation Office Books for Birr listed an Edward Garrett as the owner of a Bacon Store at No. 18 Grave Yard Street & a house, office & yard at No. 20 & a second bacon store at No. 33 Main Street.