Graveslab in Athenry

This tombstone is centrally placed in the W half of the chancel of the church of the Dominican priory (GA084-001014-), to the E of the massive late 18th-century tomb of Lady Matilda Birmingham. It was uncovered during cleaning operations in the 1970s and is believed to have marked the grave of Meiler de Bermingham, 2nd Baron and founder of Athenry town (GA084-001----). Meiler’s castle (GA084-001006-) is situated c. 190m to the N and as part of his development plan of the new town he introduced the Dominicans in 1241. He died near Cashel in 1252 but his body was brought back to Athenry to be buried close to the high altar (Rynne 1987-8, 116). The slab (L 2.08m; Wth at W end 0.52m; Wth at E end 0.29m) is trapezoidal in plan and tapers in height from its western (H 0.34m) to eastern (0.22m) end. It is broken almost mid-way across its length. The gable-like ends incline slightly towards the flat ridged top and each bears a plain Latin cross in high relief. The stone is undecorated; the irregular crack-like grooves appear to be due to natural weathering (ibid). (Bradley and Dunne 1992, 33-4; McKeon 51, Pl. 30) The following images have been uploaded: GA084-001032-_01.jpg GA084-001032-_02.jpg GA084-001032_03.jpg GA084-001032-_04.jpg Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 9 November 2018

Medieval Christian tomb slab; 14th–15th century. It is significant as a surviving funerary monument from the Dominican priory, reflecting the religious and social history of Athenry.