Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

Late 16th century graveslab which marked the burial place of Mathew Grady of Knockainey Castle (LI032-141003-) which was moved from the graveyard and inserted into the internal face of the S wall of the bell-tower of St. John's Church (LI032-141004-) during the 19th / 20th century. Originally the graveslab was located in Knockainey graveyard (LI032-141005-) where it was described in 1840. In this year the Ordnance Survey recorded the following; 'In the graveyard, which is of the same age as the church (LI032-141004-), there has been found a tombstone belonging to the O'Grady family and bearing the date 1592' (OSNB, Knockainey parish).
The Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 182) recorded the following about the 16th century graveslab built into the internal face of the S wall of the bell-tower in Knockainy graveyard (LI032-141005-); 'Grave slab 1592 Rectangular. Fossiliferous limestone. Attached to the internal south wall of the tower. It has a marginal inscription in false relief Roman lettering: ORATE PRO ANI/ ABVS MATHEI GRADY ET IOHANEI NI AEDN VXORS EIVS CVI ME FIERI FERERVNT 16 OCT/ OBRIS AO 1592 Dims: L. 207cm W. 106cm T. 18cm (min)'.

Described by Rev. Seymour as following; 'In the belfry of the older church (all now remaining) are two carved stones. A large slab, with inscription running round the edge in raised letters, the centre being blank. It is built perpendicularly into the wall' (Seymour 1907-9, 398).

See attached drawing of graveslab taken from Seymour 1907-9, 398.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 April 2019

References

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1989 Urban archaeological survey - county Limerick (3 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

OSNB - Ordnance Survey Name Books. Pro-forma books arranged by Civil Parish for recording townland and other name-forms and compiled in the course of the OS 6-inch survey 1824-1841. The name books also include minor names and incidental references to antiquities. National Archives of Ireland.

Seymour, Rev. St. J. D. 1907-9 County Limerick: Knockainey. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 7, 397-8.