Graveslab in Fethard

In the graveyard (TS070-040044-) of the Augustinian abbey (TS070-040004-), standing against the external N wall of the N transept, the second from the W of a row of graveslabs. This slab (H above ground 1.83m; Wth 0.99m; D 0.145m) has an upper chamfered edge (Wth 0.03m) on the dexter side, with a chamfer underneath (Wth 0.085m). It is decorated in relief with a banded seven-armed cross with fleur-de-lis terminals. The inscription, in english in Roman lettering, runs around the the border and continues up the cross-shaft and band. It was transcribed by Knowles (1903, 141) as 'This monument reserves the corpse of James Butler, Esquier, son to the Lord Baron of Dunboyne, deceased the last day of Novermber, A.D. 1619, whose mourning wife, Dame Ellen, daughter of Sir Walter Butler, Earl of Ormonde, erected him the same'. An earlier transcription by Brennan (1862-3, 147) is erroneous as it gives the father of Dame Ellen as 'SIR WALTER O'BRIAN EARL OF THOMOND' and in the accompanying sketch of the graveslab the placing of the wording does not represent how it actually appears on the slab. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 12 January 2012

Medieval Christian graveslab, 13th–14th century. It is part of the burial complex associated with the Augustinian abbey, reflecting the religious and funerary practices of the medieval monastic community in the region.