What is recorded here

Donal Mor O Briain died in 1194 and tradition still claims the narrow brown slab as his grave, though the animals and cross date later. The tomb lies broken beneath the O’Brien monument in the Arthur family chapel, hiding its horse, winged creature and interlaced tails from most footsteps. What is certain is that the cathedral kept the shape of a king long after the story attached to it stopped being plain.

14th/15th century graveslab in the Arthur family chapel in St. Mary's Cathedral (LI005-017015-) described in the Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 316) as following; ‘Tapering limestone slab in two pieces under the O’Brien monument in the choir. Decorated in false relief with a two line encircled cross. The slab has four panels with a horse, a winged creature and two horse-like animals with interlaced tails. The tomb was found under the western entrance (Meredyth 1887, 5). The attribution of the tomb to Donal Mor O Briain is fanciful. Dims: L. 1.53m W. 0.53-0.42m. Described by FitzGerald (1910, 128) as following; ' In what is now known as "the Arthur family Chapel", which adjoins the north transept, there are several slabs and fragments of others laid in the pavement. The most interesting one is a narrow brown slab bearing animals, foliage, and a cross, all cut in bold relief. According to tradition this slab, which measures 5 feet [1.5m] in length, marked the grave in the choir of Donal "more" O'Brien, King of Limerick, and founder of St. Mary's (circa 1172), who died in 1194. It is not quite correctly illustrated in the Rev. J. Dowd's History of the Cathedral, as the animals necks are not shown crossing over the shaft on the cross; this error also appears in our Journal, vol. iii, p. 88'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 15 November 2019

14th/15th century Christian graveslab, associated with the Arthur family chapel in St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. It is significant as a medieval funerary monument reflecting local stone-carving traditions and social history in pre-Reformation Ireland.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.