Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

This is one of five 16th/17th century recumbent graveslabs that lie within the church (GA104-151001-). This slab (1.78m L; 0.54m tapering to 0.45m at base) has been described by Chapple (1995, 18, no. 15) as ‘decorated with an incised ringed cross calvary. The panels formed by the intersection of the arms and the ring are incised, giving the impression of a false relief decoration. The external edge of the ring breaks at where the head and arms should be, but are uncut. . . . To the left of the shaft is an incised hammer, while to the right there is an incised tongs and horse-shoe. The areas within the horseshoe and between the mouth and handles of the tongs are incised, giving the impression of a false relief decoration. Below the stepped base is a further carving of a tongs/pincers and a hammer. All of these would appear to be the vocational symbols of a blacksmith- The edge of the stone bears a double lined, incised border. It is believed that this stone may be of a blacksmith who lived in the Townland of Carrigeen (pers. comm. Mr. C. Potter, Craughwell).’ The carving on this slab is comparable in style to those beside it to the N (GA104-151006-; GA104-151007-) and, although undated, is of a type that is found in 16th/17th century burial contexts.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 10 January 2014

The attached image is uploaded courtesy of Robert M. Chapple.

References

Chapple, R.M. 1995 (2001 CD-R Edition) The church of prayers. Gravestone inscriptions from the graveyard of Killora, Craughwell, Co. Galway. Belfast. The Oculus Obscura Press.