Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

In Clonca church (DG012-002001-), affixed to the inner wall face of the N wall at its E end. This stone, with its striking and elaborate decorative carvings, is known as the 'Magnus and Fergus' graveslab, and is a National Monument in state ownership (no. 25). It is recorded by the Donegal Survey as follows: ‘This measures 1.85m long × 0.55m to .44m wide. The slab, which is decorated with a cross, foliage, a sword, a playing stick and ball, also bears an inscription indicating by whom and for whom it was made. 'Fergus mak Allan do rini in clach sa magnus mec orristin ia fo Trl seo’ [Translation: Fergus Mac Allan made this stone Magnus Mac Orristin under this] (Macalister 1949, 116-7, No. 949). A tradition that this graveslab was brought here from Scotland (Hamilton 1896, 143) has recently been dismissed, and an Irish origin for the slab confirmed (Steer and Bannerman 1977, 43).’ (Lacy et al. 1983, 255, no. 1539).
A raised border defines the edge of the tapered slab and the carvings are in false relief. The central cross spans the length and width of the slab, dividing it into four quadrants, each of which bears carvings. The arms of the cross each terminate in a triple-leaf motif, and the shaft splits at top into two intertwined long-necked birds-like figures. Towards its base the shaft splays into a symmetrical swirl of delicate foliage which expands to fill the lowermost portion of the slab. The lower two quadrants flanking the cross bear, on one side, a sword with decorative pommel, and a hurley stick and sliotar (ball), and on the opposite side, a vertical symmetrical vine-like design. The two upper quadrants are filled with the inscription carved in slanting lines, three lines on each side. Two fleur-de-lys fill the space where one line of inscription ends abruptly. A line of inscription is also carved on one arm of the cross. No date is inscribed on the stone, but the style of carving suggests it dates to the 16th century.
A medieval graveslab (DG012-002005-) is affixed to the wall beside this one, and a late 17th-century graveslab (DG012-002013-) is set in the floor of the church.

Attached images:
DG012-002012-_01.JPG Graveslab
DG012-002012-_02.JPG Detail: Inscription
DG012-002012-_03.JPG Detail: Intertwined birds
DG012-002012-_04.JPG Detail: Sword hilt
DG012-002012-_05.JPG Detail: Hurley and ball
DG012-002012-_06.JPG Detail: Foliage motif

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 28 October 2021

References

Lacy, B. with Cody, E., Cotter, C., Cuppage, J., Dunne, N., Hurley, V., O'Rahilly, C., Walsh, P. and Ó Nualláin, S. 1983 Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century A.D. Lifford. Donegal County Council.

Hamilton, E.J. 1896 The Clonca stone Inishowen. Ulster Journal of Archaeology Ser. 2 II, 142.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1949 Corpus Inscriptionum Insularum Celticarum, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Steer, K.A. and Bannerman, J.W.H. 1977 Late medieval monumental sculpture in the West Highlands. Edinburgh. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.