Tomb - effigial (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

Currently housed in the Vicars Choral (TS061-025005-) on the Rock of Cashel, it originally came from the Hackett chapel of the Franciscan Friary (TS061-025008-) in the town and when the friary was demolished it had been kept in the grounds of the convent on the site of the friary. Of the Hackett chapel Wadding (1734, 47) states that 'Many tombs of the founders and other families were then to be seen' (Hunt 1974, 224-5). The effigy (L 1.31m; Wth at top 0.71m; Wth at surviving lower portion 0.57m) is carved in high relief on a limestone slab and is within a carved trefoil canopy which is badly broken. The head of the effigy itself has been broken off and the hands defaced. There is a large crack between the head and the body and the lower portion of the slab is missing. Hunt (1974, 224-5) dates the effigy to the late 13th century and describes how the figure's 'head rests upon a rectangular cushion and his hair of which the outline only remains, was dressed below the ears. He is clothed in a belted gown with a mantle over it hanging behind his shoulders. The left arm lies across his breast and holds a fold of the mantle within it. His right hand which is gloved holds the other glove and the mantle string. The dexter border of the slab has leaves springing from it and curling up over a second moulding, interrupted by a little corbel supporting the canopy. The other side of the slab has a plain chamfer. The slab originally evidently lay on the north side of the church'.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 20 December 2011

References

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

Wadding, L. 1734 Annales minorum seu Trium ordinum a S. Francisco i institutorum, volume 9. Rome. Bernabò.