Headstone

The National Monuments Service's description

One of 14 notched headstones in Kilmore graveyard (KE079-072----) identified by Dunne (2012, 8-9) who described 'Notched Headstone 1' as follows; 'Fourteen notched unhewn and unnamed gravemarkers were recorded in Kilmore graveyard [KE079-072----]. They are disposed around the interior of the older medieval graveyard. Many of them are difficult to see due to grass cover. All of the notched headstones are simple grave markers of unhewn local slate and sandstone and have a distinct notch on the top of the stone. These headstones date from the medieval period and are the most basic cross form of burial marker recorded in graveyards. Notched headstones have been recorded by the writer in several graveyards in Kerry and indeed as far away as St. Colman’s Graveyard [GA009D014002-] on Inishbofin Island off the Connemara coast (Dunne 2007). A re-used notched gravestone was excavated by the writer from the base of a medieval slab-lined grave in Smerwick (Dunne 2008, 164-5)'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 28 March 2022

References

Dunne, L. 2012 Archaeological Survey, Kilmore Church and Graveyard, Farranreagh, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry. Unpublished report for The Heritage Office, Kerry County Council (SMR file).

Dunne, L. 2008 Caherquin; medieval. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2005: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 164-5, No. 673. Dublin. Wordwell.