Graveslab in Castledoe

Tomb-slab: On the exterior N face of the tower adjoining the SW corner of the keep (DG026-023001-) [Doe castle tower house] is a 16th century trapezoidal tomb slab; it was brought from the graveyard (DG026-024003-) to Doe castle in 1968. It is carved with an elaborate cross; the head comprises an interlace centre-piece with seven radiating spear-shaped terminals. The shaft is decorated with a double band interlace pattern and rises from a Calvary of five steps which encloses the sacred monogram I.H.C. On the left of the shaft are carved, a bird and three animal figures (including a bull?) and, on the right, three interlace designs, a vine-leaf pattern and (now broken) an animal figure. The slab is damaged and the date and inscriptions on the right-hand edge and 'the date may be 1544 [M] CCCCCXXXXIIII, . . . and the name of the sculptor MADONIUF ORAVAITY [ME] FECIT' (1903, 139). The name of the person for whom it was carved is indecipherable but it was assuredly for one of the McSweenys of Doe. Date of revision : 16 May 2009 Caimin O'Brien

16th-century trapezoidal tomb slab; likely of local significance as a reused medieval funerary monument, associated with Doe Castle.