What is recorded here

Thirteen graveslabs sank into the River Nore when builders cleared a local graveyard to reinforce a late medieval bridge. They lay underwater for centuries until drainage works in 2001-2003 pulled them from the silt. One fragment still shows the faint shadow of a cross-head, its edges softened by patient river water. The dead were moved aside to make the bridge strong, then the bridge itself became a margin for the city to forget.

Thirteen graveslabs were recovered from the River Nore during the archaeological excavations (01E980) carried out in 2001-2003 as part of the River Nore Drainage Scheme (Doyle and O’Meara 2004, 6-20). These were found associated with the late medieval bridge (KK019-026070-), immediately N of the current John’s Bridge (ibid. 7). It is suggested that the graveslabs were deliberately cleared from a graveyard, possibly belonging to either St Mary’s parish church (KK019-026115-) c. 100m to the W or to St John’s Priory (KK019-026068-) c. 200m to the NE, and used as part of the rubble needed to form a protective apron for the piers of the late medieval bridge (ibid. 16-19). Currently stored in Magdalan tower (KK019-026074-), Maudlin St, Kilkenny. Fragment of a limestone tapering graveslab (01E0980: 2313) which consists of the central portion of the slab, the head and base of which are missing (ibid. 11, 15). The slab (L 0.7m; Wth 0.45m; T 0.23m), with bevelled edges, is heavily water worn and only the rough outline of the base of the cross-head, formerly in relief, are visible (ibid.). Stylistically this dates to the 13th/14th century (ibid.). See attached photograph: KK019-026426-_01 Photograph by Chris Corlett Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 16 January 2023

Graveslabs recovered from the River Nore, likely medieval in date, represent funerary monuments associated with early Christian or monastic sites in the region. Their presence in the river suggests historical re-deposition, possibly due to flooding or human activity, highlighting the area’s long-standing religious and burial significance.

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