Mound

The National Monuments Service's description

On a low island of dry land surrounded on all sides by bogland with good views in all directions. Multiperiod church (TS054-002001-) located 50m to S and enclosure (TS054-001----) 300m to W. Three medieval graveslabs are indicated on the 1st (1840) and 2nd (1905) ed. OS 6-inch map as the 'Gobban Saer's Grave'. This area was traditionally believed to be the burial place of the Goban Saer (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 180-4) and originally conisted of a small mound which is no longer visible. Three medieval graveslabs are now located where the mound which marked the 'Gobban Saer's Grave' was located. The Gobaun Saer in Irish means the clever or crafty carpenter and who in Irish folklore is credited with building many of the old churches and monuments of Munster. He is supposed to have been murdered by his eleven jealous workmates who in turn where killed by the Gobaun Saer's widow and supposedly buried in a large mound beside the church (White 1892, 46-8). According to White (ibid.) 'further down the slope to the north, are the graves of the Gobann and his wife and two children. Stones of coffin shape mark the place and bear quaint figures and curious celtic tracery. Heretofore, these relics were religiously preserved, but latterly they have suffered in some ways. A barabarian smashed one of the stones some years ago and obliterated the traces with a chisel. Close by is a huge cap of stone said to posess wonderful curative properties, if placed on the head'.

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. 41/1935).

References

White, J.D. 1892 Anthologia Tipperariensis. Cashel.

O'Flanagan, Rev. M. (Compiler) 1930 Letters containing information relative to the antiquities of the county of Tipperary collected during the progress of the Ordnance Survey in 1840. Bray.