Graveslab (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

In St Columba's Church of Ireland church in Drumcliffe graveyard (SL008-084002-).
This rectangular limestone graveslab (1.74m x 0.73m) is located in the south interior wall of the porch of the church (built 1809). It is a memorial to Thomas Soden of Grange who died aged 109. He may be the Thomas Soden of Grange, who was appointed High Sheriff of Sligo in 1674.The date of death on the slab is illegible, but it is likely to date to c. 1700. A companion graveslab (SL008-084014-) located in the opposite wall, also dedicated to a member of the Soden family, is dated 1704 and is carved in a similar style. Both graveslabs were moved from Ahamlish Church of Ireland church to their present location.
The decorative motifs on the upper third of the slab, and the inscription, which extends over the lower two thirds, are raised/carved in false relief. The decorative scheme features a central diamond-shaped frame enclosing a rosette surrounded by four geometric motifs, each composed of five small squares, and flanked by two hearts; beneath the rosette is a small winged skull. At the top of the diamond is a harp, and above this is a crown flanked by a unicorn and a horse. The space to right of the diamond is filled with three plants, two birds and a fleur-de-lis; the space at left features an arm wielding a sword, beside which is a heart. The significance of these motifs is uncertain; some may be heraldic symbols associated with the Soden family; some are likely to have religious significance. The inscription is in English and reads:
Here lyes waiting
for the resurrecti
on of the just the
body of Tho
Soden of Grange
esqr who die
Ye 3d of March
17 [?] and the
109th of his age

Attached images:
SL008-084013-_01 Grave slab
SL008-084013-_02 Detail of ornamentation

Revised by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 4 November 2020