Graveslab

The National Monuments Service's description

Lying in the gravel kerb immediately S of the S angle of St. John's C of I Cathedral which is on the site of a medieval church (TS061-025013-) and within its graveyard (TS061-025035-). A large rectangular limestone slab (L 2.39m; Wth 0.87m; T 0.1m) which is split the length of the dexter side (0.28m from the edge) and split beneath the arm of the sinister side to the base. The lower sinister corner (L 0.79m; Wth 0.3m) has split from the main slab. The slab is decorated with a full-length cross with a crown-of-thorns head, and cross arms terminating in fleur de-lys terminals, executed in relief. Under the cross arms there is an IHS monogram on the dexter side and what is possibly a winged cherub on the sinister side. The shaft terminates in a Calvary mount bearing a skull-and-crossbones. The dexter and sinister upper corners are decorated with crescent moon and sun, repectively, while the dexter and sinister bottom corner panels contain heater-shaped shields, the dexter one of which is charged with clover-leaf crosses on either side of a dexter bend. The border of the slab bears a badly eroded latin inscription in gothic lettering. There is no date visible. This slab appears to be that which was transcribed by FitzGerald (1902, vol. 5, 248) as: EDMUNDUS GELIDO JACET HOC / SUB MARMORE SAULUS, CHARAQUE KATHRINAE CONJUGIS OSSA JACENT. ELLE SIBI UXORIQUE PIAE PROLIQUE SEPUL / CHRUM CONDIDIT HOC MORTIS PRAE / VIASQUE . . AD SUAE . . DUBIT AC FRAGILIS VITAE MONUMENTA FUERI. vIVES UT AETERNOS POSSIT ADIRE POLOS. Ao. 1630 and translates as, 'Beneath this cold stone lie Edmund Sall, and the loved remains of his wife Katherine. He while living erected this tomb for himself, his dear wife, and their family, to be memorials of the frailty of this life (?). Live so that you may attain to heaven eternal. [Erected] in the year 1630'. According to FitzGerald (ibid.) 'The shields bear (1) a bend dexter between two saltires with shamrock finials; and (2) the arms of Salle of Cashel (as registered in Ulster's Office), a portcullis, and stag's antlers...Under these are the initials K. C. and K. S.'.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of revised upload: 31 January 2012

References

FitzGerald, Lord W. 1901-03 Cashel Parish – St. John's Cathedral. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 5, 247-50.