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 (1.70m x 0.75m) is located in the north interior wall of the porch of the church. It is dedicated to the memory of Elizabeth Soden who died in 1704, aged 58. James Soden of Grange, her husband, was appointed High Sheriff of Sligo in 1706.
This slab, with its companion graveslab (SL008-084013-) located in the opposite wall, which is dedicated to Thomas Soden, possibly Elizabeth Soden's father-in-law, was moved from Ahamlish Church of Ireland church to its present location.
The ornamentation, on the upper third of the slab, and the inscription, which extends over the lower two thirds, are raised or carved in false relief. The decorative scene features a central tree or plant with graceful branches, at the top of which a bird sits; swirling around the tree, are two other birds, a stag, a smaller four-legged animal, two hearts and a fleur-de-lis, the whole carved in a pleasing, naïve style. The inscription is in English and reads:

Here lyes waiting
for the resurrecti
on of the just the
body of Elliza.th
Soden al.s Steephe
ns wife of James
Soden of Grange esq.r
who died the 6th March
1704 and the 58th of her life.

Attached images:
SL008-084014-_01 Grave slab
SL008-084014-_02 Detail of ornamentation
SL008-084014-_03 Detail of inscription

Revised by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 4 November 2020