Recumbent 15th-century chamfered cross-slab grave-cover measuring 1.9m long by 0.09m thick, the base of the slab measures 0.64m wide which narrows to 0.54m, in the south-east corner of the chancel of Portumna Dominican Friary church (GA127-019----), Co. Galway. Chamfered slab the top of which has a sunburst-motif with human face representing Christ flanked by a serpent/monster with open jaws, dotted body and curving tail which runs across onto the the sunurst motif.  A triangular-shaped motif above the open jaws may represent the tongue of the serpent with fish beneath. Above this there is an eight pointed encircled rosette and an eight armed encircled cross between which there are two human heads above which there is a base for the shaft of the central cross.  Two four cornered knots either side of the shaft of the central cross which forms the centre of six rows of three encircled crosses with vine leaf terminals representing the blood of Christ.  For more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/56hwrtac

Portumna Graveslab (GA127-019001-)

Recumbent graveslab (L. 1.89m x top Wth 0.71m/base Wth 0.71m x T 0.1m) with Latin cross and fleur-de-lis terminals, in the chancel of Portumna Dominican Friary Church (GA127-019----), Co. Galway. One of five recumbent graveslabs in the chancel of the Dominican Friary Church. Faint traces of an inscription either side of the shaft of the floriated -cross.

Portumna Abbey Graveslab

Head end fragment of a medieval tapering graveslab (originally a floor slab and not used vertivally) at Threecastles Graveyard. It is very similar in style to [this](https://skfb.ly/pIXoJ) and [this](https://skfb.ly/pIX6A) fragment, but still has two chamfered edges. It might have been made by the same stone cutter and dates to the 13th or 14th century. It stands 0.64m above ground, is 0.44m wide at the top and c. 0.16m deep. The diameter of the circle is 0.15m, and the width of the cross shaft is 0.02m.
It does not seem to be described on the HEV.

Made in KiriEngine from 66 images.

Threecastles Graveyard: medieval graveslab 3

15th-century recumbent floriated cross-slab grave cover measuring 1.97m long by 0.55m top width which tapers to a base width of 0.51m by 0.05m thick, in the northeast corner of the chancel of the Dominican friary church (GA127-019----) in Portumna, Co. Galway. Slightly tapered chamfered graveslab, which is broken in two pieces, decorated with a floriated Latin cross in low relief. The shaft (Wth 0.14m) and arms of the cross are decorated with vine leaf or fleur-de-lis/bud and leaf motif.  A four leaf cross is visible at the top of the cross shaft and forms the arms of the cross. The base of the cross rises from the open jaws of a dragon with four-leaf cross above the head of the dragon. For more details visit:  https://tinyurl.com/bd4uxjre

Portumna Graveslab (GA127-019003-)

A grave slab fragment at Threecastles Graveyard. I thought first that it stylistically looks like it could be the top end of [this fragment](https://skfb.ly/pIX6A), considering the style of the terminals and the only one chamfered side which is the same as in that fragment, but if what it is upside down here, with the cross at the bottom, then they don't actually match in their chamfered side. Madge Buggy might have meant these two in her 1969 description "the end of an incised floriated cross (in two pieces) which appears to be 13th or 14th century" ([on KAS website](https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/OKR1969-15-Madge-Buggy-A-Note-on-Three-Castles-Cemetery.pdf)). If so, then it is KK014-025009-.

Made in KiriEngine from 67 images.

Threecastles Graveyard: medieval graveslab 1b

Recumbent 15th-century chamfered cross-slab grave-cover measuring 1.91m long by 0.09m thick, the slab measures 0.88m wide which tapers to 0.74m, in the centre of the chancel of Portumna Dominican Friary church (GA127-019----), Co. Galway. The floriated Latin Cross is framed within a floriated border.  The shaft of the cross rises from an animal/possible lion based on possible depiction of mane running around the face of the animal.  Described in the Urban Archaeological Survey of County Galway as 'a slab, bears a Latin cross in low relief. The cross shaft (Wth 0.19m) is decorated with a repeated floral motif and there is a knotwork circle near the crossing. Each arm consists of a square panel: that to the S bears a Greek cross which was formed by subdividing the square into four segments decorated with fleur-de-lis motifs. The panel to the N has one large rosette.  An inscription below the N arm reads ‘HERN(?)LI’.  For more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/4fcx6msj

Portumna Graveslab (GA127-019002-)

Located in Strade Dominican friary (MA070-067001-), one of a group of five floriated graveslabs standing upright attached to the internal face of the south wall of the friary chancel. Tapered graveslab with floriated cross measuring 1.19m long by 0.39m wide that served as the lid of a medieval stone coffin/sarcophagus.  The surface of the slab is worn, but the outline of a long cross fleury carved in low relief extending almost the full length of the slab is visible.   Greek crosses rise from the terminals of the diagonal arms which represent the Crucifix and may represent a version of the Lily Crucifix.  Wavy diagional line near cross base has flowering terminals topped with a Greek cross.  Carving is best viewed in Matcap render. Flowering cross based on the Tree of Life.  In Christian theology, the crucifixion of Jesus transforms the cross from a "tree of death" into a new "Tree of Life," reversing the fall of humanity in Eden.  Archaeological Survey of Ireland description at; https://tinyurl.com/yyy65tpx

Strade Abbey Graveslab MA070-067009-

One of the several medieval graveslab fragments at Threecastles Graveyard (KK014-025007-). The descriptions on the HEV are not detailed enough to identify the fragments, but this is the lower end (now presenting upside down) of a floriated cross-slab (presumably) with the very simple fleur-de-lys representing the lower end of it. One side is chamfered, but it can be presumed that the other ones was once chamfered as well. It might have been recycled in the church or towerhouse building, before it made its way into the graveyard to be re-used as a modern grave marker. No measurements were taken.
It looks like it could be the bottom end of [this fragment](https://skfb.ly/pIXoJ) with the middle part missing. If so, then it is KK014-025009-.

The Threecastles Historical Society/ Committee (?) is in the process of recording all grave markers (and hopefully architectural fragments) in the graveyard, and one of their members, Eleanor, kindly showed us around.

Made in KiriEngine from 64 images.

Threecastles Graveyard: medieval graveslab 1

This is a limestone graveslab embedded in the ground immediately east of the church at Stonecarthy. It is very eroded, but apparently shows the head of a male on top of a four-armed cross with fleur-de-lys terminals. (It is easier to see in Matcap mode.) The HEV doesn't date it, but I'd say 13th or 14th century.

SMR no.: KK027-046003-

Made in KiriEngine from 51 images.

Stoneycarthy: Grave Slab

A cross slab likely dating to the 13th or 14th century reused as a lintel in a window of the south wall at Threecastles Church. The re-use of these graveslabs would indicate that the windows were rebuilt some time later than the proposed foundation of the 13th century, maybe when the towerhouse was added to the west. The cross shaft with a circular decoration is clearly visible. The cross head seems to have had a circle as well, and the bottom end of the shaft seems to have a fleur-de-lis decoration. The graveslab is not recorded by the NMS (yet).

It was quite difficult to take the pictures, because I was standing in the window and had to take them overhead. Unfortunately, the ends didn't come out very well.

SMR no. (for church): KK014-025003-

Made in KiriEngine from 103 images.

Threecastles: lintel cross slab

Strade Dominican Friary is a National Monument in state ownership (No. 172). The abbey dates to the mid-13th century, when it first started as a Franciscan Friary, established by the Lord of Athlethan (Ballylahan), Jordan de Exeter. The Dominican friars moved into Strade in 1253. The priory was dedicated to the Holy Cross & was a daughter house of Sligo Dominican priory (SL014-068008-). One of a group of 5 graveslabs on display against the south wall of the chancel of the Dominican friary church. This tapered slab served as the lid of a stone coffin. It bears a floriated cross in low relief, the terminals of the cross appear to form trefoils/bud & leaf or flower & leaf motif, a fleur-de-lis/flower of the lily. Fleury Cross/Lily Cross, terminals representing the flowering head of the lily plant. Diagonal arms represent the Crucifixion. Carving is best viewed in matcap render.  Archaeological Survey of Ireland description at: https://tinyurl.com/yc44ez49

Strade Abbey Graveslab MA070-067007-

One of five floriated tapered graveslabs set upright against the internal face of the south wall of the chancel of Strade Dominican Friary (MA070-067001-), Co. Mayo. Broken tapered cross-slab grave-cover which served as the lid of a stone coffin/sarcophagus.  Only the lower half of a cross-fleury carved in low relief with raised border running along edge of the stone.  The base of the cross has a fleur-de-lis or lily flower terminal consisting of acentral teardrop shaped projection flanked on either side by curling leaves. Vertical line in central teardrop may represent the stamen of the flower head.  Vertical groove running along centre of cross-shaft.  Floriated cross possibly symbolising the flowering lily known in French as the Fleur-de-Lys/Flower of the Lily.  The lily, is a  symbol of the Virgin Mary often appearing in art representing the Annunciation.  Associated with Resurrection & Easter & the triumph of Christ over death.  See Archaeological of Ireland Description at: https://tinyurl.com/3dpfb3sp

Strade Abbey Graveslab MA070-067008-

A group of three medieval graveslabs within the church ruin of Newtown (Baker), near the northern wall. The two with the carving facing up stylistically date to the 13th/14th century.

Described by [Rita Harte in 1987](https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/old-kilkenny-review-1987/okr1987-408-rita-harte-tombstones-at-newtown-earley/) (page 410).

SMR no. for the one with the circle around the crosshead probably KK027-012015-.

Made in KiriEngine from 117 images.

Newtown (Baker): Graveslabs

17th-century recumbent O'Madden graveslab measuring 1.98m long by top Wth 0.76m by base width 0.71m by thickness 0.13m, in the chancel of Portumna Dominican Friary Church (GA127-019----), Co. Galway. Floriated tapering graveslab has Latin cross with fleur-de-lis terminals rising from a stepped base carved in false relief. A central lozenge  frames a six-pointed star/rosette. A triskele is visible in the terminal of the right arm of the cross. Above the cross there is an I H S Christogram with Latin cross rising from the crossbar of the H.  An inscription beneath the base is in Latin. Within the frame around the sides and base of the slab another inscription indicates that this is a memorial slab to the Coghlan and Madden family dating to 1648.  Hic est Tumulus Corneil coglin et unctae maddin uxor seiuset successorum pro quibus orate pro april 1648 - This is the Mound of Cornelius Coghlan and ?? Maddin, his wife, his successors, for whom pray for April 1648. For more details visit: https://tinyurl.com/yn9ksxm3

Portumna Abbey Graveslab (GA127-019004-)

Graveslab of Patrick Purcell's son "de Lismeane" (i.e. Lismaine) in the Graveyard of Rathbeagh Church. It can be found East of the Church and has some nice interwoven designs on it. The sun was shining just right to make it easier tor read. 
The son's name either starts with a K or a T so, more likely T, bc K is probably for "Katherine". Apparently, he had a son called Peter (acc. to Carrigan). Must check the Ormond Deeds to see if I find a candidate.

Described by Carrigan in vol. II, p. 324.

SMR no.: KK009-048004-

Made in KiriEngine from 111 images.

Rathbeagh Churchyard: Graveslab Patricii Purcell

Table tomb mensa for John Sweetman (or Johanes Swetman, as it is written on the slab), now on the floor of the church ruin at Newtown (Baker) in County Kilkenny. There are several slabs for members of the Sweetman family in the church ruin. They owned the land after the Erly/ Erley family.

According to Carrigan (III, 1905), the inscription reads: "Hic jace[n]t Johanes Swetma[n] Baro de Erley q[i] obiit 208 die Me[n]s[is]. Maius 1605 et Elennae Faninge ei[us] uxor q[e] obiit 4 die men[sis] M.... .595. Quisquis eris q[i] transieris sta, perlege, plora; sum quod eris fueramq. quod es: pro me precor ora. Walterus Kerin fabricavit tamba[m] 1600." It is very strange that he died on the 208th day of May, but I read that on the graveslab as well. 
Other parts of the table tomb can be found within the church ruin. The mensa is also signed by the maker Walter Kerin who is known from other funerary monuments of that area in County Kilkenny.

SMR no.: KK027-012005-

Made in KiriEngine from 120 images.

Newtown (Baker): Sweetman Slab 1605

Interior of the south transept of Grace's Chapel in Tullaroan with several architectural fragments and graveslabs, see annotations.

SMR no.: KK018-032001-

Processed from 135 images in KiriEngine.

Tullaroan: Grace's Chapel interior

One of the many medieval and post-medieval graveslabs now gathered in the church ruin (formerly handball alley, even more formerly church) at Newtown (Baker) near Kells in County Kilkenny. According to Carrigan (1905 - quoted from the HEV which tends to get Latin inscriptions somewhat wrong), the inscription reads: "Hic jacent Willms Swetman baro de Erley & Joha Tobyn ei exor quor. aiab ppiciet' deus.qi obit Ao di mcccccvii. Ame." (Here lie William Sweetman, Baron of Erley, who died A.D. 1507, and his wife Johanna Tobyn. On whose souls God have mercy. Amen)

Rita Harte [described it](https://kilkennyarchaeologicalsociety.ie/old-kilkenny-review-1987/okr1987-408-rita-harte-tombstones-at-newtown-earley/) in 1987.

SMR no. KK027-012013-

Made in KiriEngine from 130 images.

Newtown (Baker) Graveslab 1507

Strade Dominican Friary is a National Monument in state ownership (No. 172). The abbey dates to the mid-13th century, when it first started as a Franciscan Friary, established by the Lord of Athlethan (Ballylahan), Jordan de Exeter. The Dominican friars moved into Strade in 1253. The priory was dedicated to the Holy Cross & was a daughter house of Sligo Dominican priory (SL014-068008-). A papal indulgence granted in 1434 may have resulted in a rebuilding phase of the church. One of a group of 5 graveslabs on display against the south wall of the chancel of the Dominican friary church. This tapered graveslab served as the lid of a stone coffin.  It bears a floriated cross in low relief, the terminals of the cross appear to form trefoils/bud & leaf or flower & leaf motif, a fleur-de-lis/flower of the lily.  Fleury Cross/Lily Cross, terminals representing the flowering head of the lily plant. Diagonal arms represent the Crucifixion.  Archaeological Survey of Ireland description at: https://tinyurl.com/yneefntn

Strade Abbey Graveslab MA070-067010-

Partial graveslab (maybe mensa of a table tomb) with a cross and an inscription in Blacklettering which i read as "lli? uxor ei[us]", meaning "? (name) his wife". I cannot make out the name, unfortunately. In the description on the HEV, they presume it is the slab reading "....er. dus. de. Coraghmor. quae. obiit. [die.n]atibitatis. die. Marie, A.D. mcccccxiii", but it is clearly not. I'm using the below SMR no, because the location description matches the stone on site.
Option 2 seems to match part of the description for KK018-032007- where the inscription is given as Hic jacent corpora iacobi qras quondam de Corstown, baronis Gras filii, et E**llis uxoris ejus**, qui quidem Jacobus obit ultimo die Augusti ano. dni. mcccccxlii, et dicta Ellis obiit tricesimo die decb'is a. di mccccxliii" The bold transcription seems to match what is on this stone (not the -is in uxoris, but the word is usually only "uxor" anyways). 

Made in KiriEngine from 86 images.

SMR no.: KK018-032009- or KK018-032007-

Tullaroan: Graveslab

Located in Strade Dominican friary (MA070-067001-), one of a group of five (see also MA070-067007- to MA070-067010-) no upright where they are mounted up against the south wall of the chancel of the friary church. Tapered graveslab (L 1.9m) of 13th/14th-century date with chamfered sides, served as the lid of a stone coffin. Grave-cover decorated with a cross-fleury or floriated cross with stylised leaf-like terminals or bud-and-leaf terminals.  Possible foliage/leaf/fruit/disc motifs springing from the shaft of the cross symbolising the tree of life.  A cross fleury is a cross adorned at the ends with flowers in heraldry. It generally contains the fleur-de-lis, trefoils, etc.  The Tree of Life represents God's gift of eternal life appearing first in Genesis 2:9 as a source of immortality in Eden & in Revelation 22.2 as a part of the new garden of paradise. The Eucharist, the Body & Blood of Christ, is the Fruit of the Tree of Life Archaeological Survey of Ireland, description at: https://tinyurl.com/y258xyy4

Strade Abbey Graveslab MA070-067004-

Partial graveslab set into the interior side wall around St Lachtain's Church in Freshford. Judging from the inscription being in Latin, but in Roman capitals, I would date it to the last decades of the 1500s or early 1600s; unfortunately the date is missing. It reads (in my reading) "HIC IACET EDITH VXOR IOHA[N]IS PATRIDCE [!] qUI OBIT SEPBRIS". It should read "QUE OBIIT", because that is the female form, but anyways. It means "Here lies Edith, wife of John Patrick (? or Partridge?) who died on the day of September". The actual day of September seems to be missing.

See also: Cockerham. P. and Harris, L. 2001 Kilkenny funeral monuments 1500-1600: a statistical and analytical account. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 101C, 135-88 who date it to c.1600. 
Carrigan (1905) described it as well, but made some mistakes, imho.

SMR no.: KK013-023010-

Made in KiriEngine from 99 images.

Freshford: slab Hic Jacet Edith

A fragment of what I believe to be a medieval graveslab, unfortunately without any inscription or decoration that I can see, but the shape and chamfering is very similar to the other medieval fragments in the graveyard. It stands 0.6m above ground, is 0.48m wide and c. 0.16m deep and made from limestone.

Not recorded by the HEV, but I'll report it.

Made in KiriEngine from 56 images.

Threecastles Graveyard: uninscribed floorslab

Floor slab in the north aisle of St Canice's Cathedral, probably dating to the 13th or 14th century. It has a Latin inscription in Lombardic script which is incomplete at the bottom end of the graveslab, but the rest reads (the / indicating a turn around a corner): "✛ HIC IACET / […] / OLLACŎIS · BĪ IOHĪS BAPTISTE ANNO DNĪ / M° CC°: LXX[XX]". The last two Xs are somewhat damaged, but I'm fairly sure there are four in total. It used to bear a coat of arms or similar shield which has been defaced, possibly by Cromwellian soldiers who used the Cathedral as their stables during the occupation of Kilkenny.

Carrigan (1905, III, p. 149-150) says that there was a second part of the monument, now missing, and both together read "HIC : IACET : [...] [LIVS: HENRICI : DE : PONTO : DE : LYRA : QI : OBIIT : IN : DIE : DE]COLLACOIS · BI : JOHIS : BAPTISTE : ANNO : DNI : M° : CC° : LXXXV :" 

Made in KiriEngine from 141 images.

St Canice's Cathedral: Floorslab John Baptiste

Two fragments of medieval (13th/14th century) cross slabs at Threecastles Graveyard. The both slat extremely to the east which made the scan rather difficult; I had to lie flat on my belly to photograph the underside, hence the blurriness. The left (S) one stands 0.43m above ground and has a 3 or 4 armed cross around a circular centre (diameter c.0.11m) with crude fleur-de-lys terminals, unless they are called something else, when they look like this. It is chamfered on what is now the top. 
The right (N) one stands 0.53m above ground and features a three or four armed cross around a lozenge shape in a double line. There are other graveslabs in the graveyard with that pattern. 
Both were described by Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 268) and by Madge Buggy (1969, p. 15), but not in much detail.

SMR no.:  KK014-025010- and KK014-025011-, but I don't know which one is supposed to be which

Made in KiriEngine from 95 images.

Asset Library

About These Assets