Graveslab (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

Medieval coffin-shaped graveslab known locally as the 'McSyne Grave Slab'. Originally located at the Franciscan friary in Ballysaggart (DG098-031001-) but now located in a glass display case outside St. Mary's R.C. Church in Killybegs. Described in the Urban Survey as 'Tombslab. 16th cent. St Catherine's RC Church. Alleged to be the tomb of Niall Mor MacSweeney (Bradley & Dunne 1989, 44). Set against the exterior face of the W gable of St. Catherines Catholic church in Killybegs is a medieval tomb-slab (DG098-031003-). It was brought to Killybegs from Fan an Chartha friary on St John's Point in 1868 (Patterson 1872, 129). The trapezoidal sandstone slab measures 1.98m by.72m tapering to .46m. The sides are bevelled and, the surface of the slab is divided into nine panels by one vertical and four horizontal broad bands of ribbon interlacing; all carving is in shallow false relief, some of which is now very weathered. Left hand side: The uppermost panel contains a figure, helmeted and plumed, holding a battle axe in his right hand and a sword hanging by his left side. He is wearing a cowl and jack (or coat of mail?) which comes to the knee and is belted at the waist; undoubtedly the representation of a gallowglass (See Hayes-McCoy 1937, 104-6). The left arm is not depicted and the protrusion at shoulder level is merely an extension of the weathered band of interlace. Diagonally above and below the gallowglass are two very weathered animal like figures. The second panel contains two opposing beasts separated by a narrow double strand of interlace; each stands on stylised foliage, the stem of which emanates from the beasts' back. The third panel contains three interlace designs; the fourth panel contains two bowed clasping figures, apparently in combat, which are flanked by weathered designs, one an interlaced knot.
Right-hand side: The upper panel contains two cusped ogival ovals with paterae. The second and third panels are filled with interlace designs. The upper part of the fourth panel contains two sets of four, apparently naked, inter-locking figures and the lower part contains an interlace knot. The fifth panel contains a stylised vine leaf design. There is no inscription on the slab though tradition connects it with the McSwyne family whose ruined castle stands at Rahan Near on the W side of St. John's Point (Patterson 1872, 130). The style of the slab is 16th century in character (Lacy 1983, 329-30). (See Hunt 1974, 133, No. 122)

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 10 August 2015

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.

Hunt, J. 1974 Irish medieval figure sculpture 1200-1600, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish University Press.

Patterson, W.H. 1872 A monumental slab found at Ballysaggart, County Donegal. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 12, 129-34.

Hayes-McCoy, G.A. 1937 The Galloglach Axe. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 17, 101-21.

Bradley, J. and Dunne, N. 1989b Urban archaeological survey - county Donegal. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.