Wall monument

The National Monuments Service's description

In a recess in the N wall of the most southerly side chapel on the E side of the S transept of the cathedral (TS061-025003-) on the Rock of Cashel. This consists of a recumbent rectangular slab (L 2.28m; surviving Wth at top 0.6m; surviving Wth at base 0.62m), the dexter edge of which does not survive (Maher 1997, 70) and a front panel (L 1.9m; H 0.63m), the central upper portion of which is broken, as is the sinister end. The decoration on the slab is described by Maher (1997, 70) as consisting of 'a seven-armed segmental cross in relief, with each arm terminating in a fleur-de-lis. The horizontal arm on the dexter side does not survive. The cross terminates at base in an elaborate pillar-base form, and an interlocked pair of rectangular forms, open at the base, occupy the central part of the slab. An inscription in Black Lettering occurs along the top of the slab, down the sinister side and across its base'. Fitzgerald (1903, 447) transcribed the inscription as follows: HIC IACET / MAGIST JERIMER' RYAN QUODA OFFICIALIS CASS', ET BONE FAME MIR VUMA(?). To this Maher (1997, 70) adds: ...TAK(P?)ILK / QUE (pUIO)? OBIIT 7 JUNO. It translates as, 'Here lies / Master Jeremy Ryan formerly official of Cashel and his good wife, (a woman of good repute, his widow)? .... / and .... died 7th June' (Maher 1997, 70; Fitzgerald 1903, 447). The front panel is divided into three niches, the largest central niche displays a crucifixion scene with Our Lady, with hands clasped wearing a mantle on the dexter side of Christ, and St John, with his left arm supporting his elbow, the right arm being raised to his face in a stylised gesture of sorrow. Only the sinister arm of the survives, partially, and it has an enlarged rectangular end. Displayed on the dexter end, within a slightly broken ogee-headed niche, is a mitred archbishop and on the sinister end, with only the dexter side of the ogee-headed niche surviving, is St. Peter holding the keys of heaven. Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 222) suggests that 'the figure on the dexter is St Thomas of Canterbury as these saints are constantly associated. The slab above is very probably from the O'Tunney workshop. The perculiar form of many of the letters, particularly the H of HIC and the J of JACET being typical of his work. It is probable that slab and tomb-front originally belonged together'.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 24 January 2012

References

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

FitzGerald, Lord W. 1901-03 Cashel Parish – The Rock of Cashel. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 5, 434-48.

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