Sarcophagus

The National Monuments Service's description

A tapering limestone sarcophagus (L 2.04m; Wth at head 0.73m; Wth at foot 0.5m; ext. H 0.36m) which has been housed in the hall of the Vicars Choral since 1983 (Bradley 1988, 81). It was originally found c. 1770 in a crypt of the medieval Franciscan Friary (TS061-025008-). When the friary was demolished the sarcophagus was placed in the entrance of the RC church which was built on the site and according to White (1888) was used as a 'holy water vessel'. Local tradition claimed that this was the coffin of the founder of the friary, Sir William Hackett (ibid.). One of the effigies (TS061-025078-) in the grounds of the C of I Cathedral of St. John is reputedly the lid of this sarcophagus (Hunt 1974, 223). The sinister side of the sarcophagus, as well as the head and foot, are decorated with a gothic arcade in relief with quatrefoils cut in the spandrels and the dexter side is rough, suggesting it was originally placed against a wall (Bradley 1988, 81). It has two drainage holes (ibid.).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

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

Bradley, J. 1988 Anglo-Norman Sacrophagi in Ireland. In G.M. Niocaill and P.F. Wallace (eds), Keimelia: studies in medieval history and archaeology in memory of Tom Delaney, 74-94. Galway University Press.

White, J. D. 1888 (3rd ed.) A guide to the Rock of Cashel. Cashel. Cashel Gazette.