Tomb - chest tomb

The National Monuments Service's description

Within a graveyard (KK009-048003-), on the brow of a gentle E-facing slope, commanding a fine view from NNW-E-SE. There are three panels of a limestone chest-tomb comprising an end panel situated to the SW of the church (KK009-048001-), the top panel or lid, situated immediately S of the church and a large side panel at SE. The end panel (0.86m x 0.48m; T 0.14m) was reused as a grave-marker and was partially buried in the ground. It is decorated with a semi-pointed arch within which is a depiction of the crucified Christ, flanked on his right side by Our Lady with a large veil and wearing a long, heavily pleated dress, and on his left, St John who is possibly holding one end of his cloak in his right hand as if to wipe away his tears. The top panel (0.94m x 0.53m; T 0.13m), on it's side, largely buried and used as a grave-marker, is likely, based of its visible dimensions and decorations, to have functioned as a lid on the chest-tomb. The visible decorated surface displays the shaft of a cross on a curving Calvary mound depicting a skull. A series of vertical bars extend up from the base and are crossed by intricate interlaced knots. The remains of a border around the perimeter of the panel bears a Latin inscription in raised Gothic lettering. The inscription is transcribed by Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 323-4) and commemorates Theobald Purcell of Cloine and his wife Katherine Purcell (Cockerham 2009, 353). Carrigan describes the lid as being within the church and decorated with, 'a raised cross down the centre, an I.H.S. near the top, carvings of the sun and moon, and slight remains of two shields, one exhibiting two boars' heads' (ibid. 323). Over the two shields is 'Anno dni. 1613' (ibid. 324). The side panel (0.98m x 0.66m; T 0.12m) is set on end and functions as a footer at the E end of a relatively modern grave-plot. It is decorated with symbols of the Passion (pierced heart, cock, pot, pillar, scourge, pincers) framed by a broad plain border.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly and Mary Tunney

Date of revised upload: 7 February 2018

References

Cockerham, P. 2009 My body to be buried in my owne monument: the social and religious context of Co. Kilkenny funeral monuments, 1600-1700. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 109C, 239-365.

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.