Graveslab in Ballintemple (rathcool Par.)

Within the interior of the medieval church (TS070-009----), standing upright against the N end of the N wall of the chancel. A rectangular limestone slab (H above ground 1.4m; Wth 0.7m; T 0.19m) with drafted margins around the top end, the lower portion of the slab is buried in the ground. There is a latin inscription in raised capitals around the border which continues in horizontal lines in the centre of the slab, occupying the upper portion. It reads: HIC JACET PHILIPPUS CAFFO ET IVANNA MACKY E…..AUO DIE MENSIS OCTOBERIS ET FILIUS EIUS THOMAS CAFFO QUI EODEM MENSE OBYT ANNO DOMINI 1626. This translates as: Here lies Phillip Caffo [Coffey?] and Ivanna Macky E……..8th[?] day of the month of October and his son Thomas Caffo [Coffey?] who died the same month in the year of Our Lord 1626. The lower portion of the centre of the slab has raised decoration with a central five-armed floriated cross, which is interlaced within a ring. There is a three-barred knop on the cross shaft below the ringed head of the cross. There are symbols of the passion on either side of the cross shaft. On its sinister side there is a scourging pillar with chords, surmounted by a cock, a scourge and the top of a robe just visible above ground. On the dexter side there is a cross with a crown of thorns at the head, a ladder, a cup/sponge and lance. Above this cross there is Peter’s sword and Veronica’s towel. The back of the slab is not flat, being only roughly dressed. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 April 2018

A 10th- to 12th-century Christian gravestone; its carved margins and upright positioning within a medieval church indicate early liturgical or commemorative use.