Graveslab

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. Originally this was the location of a trapezoidal-shaped cemetery located on the E side of the island (Ryan 1980, 10). Three medieval graveslabs (TS054-002004-; TS054-002009-; TS054-002010-) marked on six inch OS 6-inch map as the 'Goban Saer's Grave'. This area was traditionally believed to be the burial place of the Goban Saer (O'Flanagan 1930, vol.2, 180-4). According to White (1892, 46-7) '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 tracves with a chisel'. Traditionally the Gobaun was said to have been Grand Master of the ancient order of Freemasons in Ireland (ibid.). One of the slabs consists of a poorly preserved tapered slab which survives in two portions (upper portion L 1.6m; top Wth 0.41; base Wth 0.33; T 0.21m; lower portion L 0.42m; top Wth 0.31m; base Wth 0.29m; T 0.21m). On the surface of the slab there is a defaced head carved in relief of which only the lower part of the nose mouth and neck are visible and stylised feet carved in high relief at the base of the slab (Maher 1997, 54-5). Below the head there is an incised circle within which there is a cross formed from the juxtapositioning of four outline penannular circles with central lozenge (Maher 1994, 162) and running down the centre of the slab there is an incised shaft which runs onto the carved stylised feet which are carved in relief. Eminating from the cross circle and on other side of the head there is a groved stem, perhaps stylised arms. A pair of stems also extend upward from either side of the cross shaft and another pair extend upward from the cross base, again on either side fo the shaft.

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

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.

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

Maher, D. 1997 Medieval grave-slabs of County Tipperary, 1200-1600 A.D. BAR British Series 262.

Maher, D. 1994 Derrynaflan: the medieval grave slabs. Tipperary Historical Journal, 162-166.