Summer 2022 – Enniscorthy Castle is home to a rare piece of medieval graffito, incised in the dungeon wall – a 1m tall figure with sword in hand. An archaeological report was completed in 2012, with Heritage Council funding, which recommended a full digital survey of the swordsman figure. Originally referred to as a Halberdier, the figure is in fact, a Swordsman thought to date to the late 16th century.
In the summer of 2022, Heritage Council funding allowed Enniscorthy Castle to complete a digital survey using 3D laser imaging, 3D photogrammetry, and 2D RTI imaging. The data will allow monitoring of the condition of the artwork over time. The scan was also used to commission a full-sized, 3D print of the wall art. A video presentation of the survey process and the finished 3D print are on display in the Norman Rooms of the Castle. The 3D print allows us to bring the Swordsman out of the dungeon and into the main exhibition space of the Castle, which creates better accessibility, opportunities for up-close engagement and additional educational materials.
An exhibition around our Swordsman in the Dungeon was on display in autumn 2022 entitled ‘Writing on the Wall – Chisel to Spray Can: Graffito, Graffiti and Wall Art’. This exhibition explored the history of graffiti and wall art from the Neolithic to the present day and included a special focus on political graffiti, the rise of graffiti in the 80’s and the Enniscorthy Walls Project.