Tomb - effigial

The National Monuments Service's description

Secured to N wall of the chancel of Kilcooly Abbey (TS043-034001-), within the western recess. In the late 19th century the graveslab was incorporated in the floor, at which time the inscription is described as being 'greatly effaced from the friction of visitors' feet' (Healy 1890-91, 224). This limestone effigial graveslab (L 1.87m; T 0.16m) tapers towards the bottom (Wth at top 0.62m; Wth at base 0.55m). The latin black letter inscription around the border has been transcribed in expanded form by Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 227-8; vol. 2, plate 184) as: HIC JACET PHILIPP' O'MOLWANAYN QUONDAM ABBAS HUJUS LOCI CUM SUIS PARENTIBUS QUI PLURA OPERA BONA SPIRITUALIA & TEMPORALIA FECERUNT QUORUM ANIMABUS PPICIETUR DEUS ANNO DOMINI MCCCCLXIII and translated as: Here lies Philip O'Molwanayn, formerly abbot of this house, together with his parents, who performed many good works both spiritual and temporal. On whose souls God have mercy. A.D. 1463. The graveslab depicts an abbot, presumably Philip O'Molwanayn, in his Mass vestments holding a crozier in his right hand and a book in his left. Above him is a large shield bearing the Arms of the Passion.The upper portion of the graveslab is decorated with a plain cross, surmounted by INRI; from the cross is suspended the crown of thorns, with a nail depicted in either arm of the cross. Accompanying the cross are symbols of the passion, including on the sinister side the ladder, the pinchers and the cock standing on the pot and on the dexter side the lance and sponge, the pole of the latter doubling as the scourging pillar, below which are the seamless garment, the three dice, two scourges and a hammer.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/2010).

References

Healy, Rev. W. 1890-91 The Cistercian Abbey of Kilcooley, Co. Tipperary. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 21, 216-27.

Hunt, J. 1974 Irish medieval figure sculpture 1200-1600, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish University Press.