What is recorded here

In 1588 Robert Hartpole and Grania O'Byrne locked their names inside a small stone, bending two letter links into a looping knot above their initials. They set it over the doorway of Grange castle, then time buried that choice inside a churchyard wall at Monksgrange until 1862. The stone still carries their date, their letters and that tidy flourish of love, now kept away from the place where it first marked a home.

Originally located over the entrance doorway of Grange castle, Co. Laois (LA032-008001-) this stone was discovered in 1862 built into the wall of the churchyard at Monksgrange (LA032-009----). The stone (H 0.33m, W 0.3m) has the date 1588 at the top and the initials R.H. and g. b. (in lower case) carved below in relief. Between the R and H is a looped interlaced motif which has two links extended to wrap around a stem of each letter; undoubtedly, a symbolic love knot. The letters have been identified as belonging to Robert Hartpole and his wife, Grania O'Byrne. Robert Hartpole died in 1594, and was buried in St. Mary's parish church in Carlow. The datestone is in the possession of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (DU018-275----). (Strickland 1922, 82-3) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload; 2 October 2014

Dated to the early medieval period, likely 9th to 11th century AD, the stone may have had a ritual or commemorative function, possibly associated with Christian or pre-Christian traditions. Its reuse in the churchyard wall suggests later repurposing, potentially to incorporate or neutralize its original symbolic significance.

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