Graveslab in Fethard

In the graveyard (TS070-040044-) of the Augustinian abbey (TS070-040004-), standing against the external N wall of the N transept, the third from the E of a row of graveslabs. A slab (L above ground 1.6m; Wth 1.15m; T 0.15m) the lower portion of which is buried or missing. Both edges are chamfered (Wth 0.04m) and there is also an under cut chamfer (Wth 0.11m) (Maher 1997, 56). It is decorated with a seven-armed segmental-headed cross with fleur-de-lis terminals. Foliate motifs including a trefoil or fleur-de-lis, occur in the four sunken segments of the cross-head. Beneath the cross-head there is a four-barred knop. There is a marginal inscription in latin, in Black Letter script which Maher (1997, 56) transcribes as: HIC JACET THEOBALDUS BUTLER DE DARRELUSKAN GENEROSUS ET... which was translated by Knowles (1903, 142) as 'Here lies Theobald Butler of Darreloskan, Gentleman and Catherine'. To the left of the cross-shalft there is a shield carrying a coat of six quarters, described by Crotty (2012, 60) as, '1 and 5 [Gold] with a [blue] chief indented and over all three escallops arranged in bend [counterchanged] (BUTLER of Dunboyne); 2 and 6 Three [golden] covered cups [on a red field] (BUTLER); 3 and 4 A [black] fess [on silver] (PETYT). On the sinister side there appears to be a very worn achievement of arms with a curvaceous shield, lion-like supporters and a helmet'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 4 March 2012

Medieval Christian graveslab, 13th–14th century. Associated with the Augustinian abbey, it reflects the monastic funerary practices of the period.