Graveslab in Gowran

Inserted into the internal N wall of the tower of the 13th-century church of St Mary’s (KK020-060006-) in Gowran. A limestone graveslab (L 2.16m; Wth 0.8m) which is decorated with a seven-armed floriated cross, with a barred knop at the base of the cross-head. The shaft rests on a curving Calvary mount. The inscription in Latin in raised black letter script, runs within a margin around the edge of the slab, starting on the sinister side, in the lower sinister corner. It is transcribed by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 404) as, ‘Hic jacet Patrici Purcell quoda costabulari de Gowran q obiit A˚.Dⁱ. Mcccccxlv et Johana Roth uxor eius q obiit A˚.Dⁱ. Mcccccxl’. It translates as, here lies Patrick Purcell constable of Gowran who died 1545 and Johanna Roth his wife who died 1540. Listed by Cockerham and Harris (2001, 181). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 19 August 2019

Medieval Christian graveslab, 13th to 14th century. It is significant as an example of early Irish ecclesiastical stone carving and reflects the artistic and religious traditions of the period.