What is recorded here
Graveslab in Sheastown stands in the chancel of Kilferagh, a large altar-tomb bearing an interlaced cross and names cut in Old English lettering. Robert fforstal, James fforstal, Ellis Shortall and Ellen Comerford are remembered on its bands, while a huge tree now hides part of the lower inscription. The tomb still smells of rain, candle smoke and forgotten grief, as if the dead are waiting for someone to read what the roots have taken back.
In the chancel of the medieval church of Kilferagh (KK024-001001-), close to the N wall (Manning 2012, 144, 147). A 16th-century graveslab described by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 224) as a, ‘large altar-tomb with a beautifully interlaced cross in the centre. The inscription is partially covered by a huge tree at the lower end. It is in Old English lettering, running round the sides and continued on bands at both sides of the cross. All of it at present visible:
Hic jacet Robertus fforstal generosus qui obiit x4 die mensis Septembris Aodi 85 et exor ei9 Eat……. Ao etiam di 1583 nee non dns Jacobus fforstal qi obiit [uncut] & uxor eius Elisia Shortall qe obiit vigessimo 5 …… 1597 una cum AElana Comerford….ore predicti Jacobi qi duo posteris hunc tumulum fieri suis impensis fec…. Opifisi me Jacobus Conney 16 8 (sic).
Translation – Here lie Robert fforstal, Esqr., who died Sept. 14th 1585, and his wife Catherine….[who] also [died]….. 1583; also Mr. James fforstal who died [uncut], and his wife Ellis Shortall who died 25th of …..1597, together with Ellen Comerford, wife of said James, who both erected this tomb, at their own expense, for their posterity. James Conney, maker. 16[0]8’.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 14 September 2021
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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