What is recorded here

Grave Yd. is an irregular graveyard in County Laois where a late seventeenth-century church still stands in the northern quadrant. All visible headstones date after 1700, yet a recently found Early Christian sandstone cross-slab carries interlaced crosses, a triquetra knot and later carved initials. The contrast suggests much older burials beneath the present surface, waiting for cleanup, rain or memory to reveal them.

Reference to church (LA019-016) rebuilt or remodelled in 1608 (O'Flanagan 1933, Vol 1, 264-265). A late siteenth century parish church with undivided nave and chancel, and a slight base batter. All visible headstones post date 1700 AD. Irreglularly shaped graveyard (int. dims. 53m N-S; 33m E-W) enclosed by a stone wall containing post 1700 AD memorials. Church located in N quadrant of graveyard. An Early Christian sandstone cross-slab (LA019-016002-) which is decorated on both faces was recently found in the graveyard during a clean-up scheme (pers. comm. D. Delaney). On one face there is an incised cross with interlaced terminals with the initials E D later carved on the bottom of the slab and on the other face there is a panel of interlace enclosed by a trriple-lined circle, below which there is an interlaced triquetra knot. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

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