What is recorded here

Graveslab in Callan North is a limestone fragment lying face down in the Augustinian friary chancel, preserving the name of Brother Richard O'Knavyn and the year 1499. The slab once carried a raised cross and an Old English inscription running around its edge, but only a central portion remains. O'Knavyn may be the old form of Bowen, since cnamh means bone in Irish. What is missing has not stopped the dead man from speaking; he is still naming himself across centuries.

In the chancel of the Augustinian friary (KK026-010016-) in Callan, lying face down near the E gable. A central portion of a limestone slab (L 1.05m; Wth at top 0.78m; Wth towards base Wth 0.73m; T 0.14m) which appears to be tapering slightly towards the base. The sides of the slab are straight and roughly dressed. This is likely to be the described by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 313) as, 'a fragment of a floor-slab, with raised cross. The inscription, which is raised Old English and perfectly legible, runs round the edge, beginning in the middle, at the right side of the cross, and being continued on the top, now missing, and thence down the left side. What remains of now is: Hic i.............[mcccc]lxxxxix & frater Ricard O'Knavy. A small fragment of this same tomb, with the words "cu ani," may be seen at the present Augustinian Convent. Translation:- Here lie .........1499, and Brother Richard O'Knavyn..... On whose soul........... . The Irish name O'Knavyn, is now sometimes anglicised Bowen, cnamh [cnámh] being the Irish for a bone'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 21 October 2019

Graveslab in Callan North is a medieval Christian funerary monument, likely 14th to 16th century in date, and significant as an example of post-medieval burial practices within a religious context.

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