What is recorded here

Graveslab in Kilree (kells By.) is a rectangular limestone slab set in the NE angle of the chancel of St. Bridget’s church, bearing a seven-armed floriated cross and the name Thomas Howling, lord of Kilri, dated 1534. Its straight sides, raised relief and faint Latin margin turn a private death into a public marker, while the calvary mount and banded shaft suggest pride, faith and local power at once.

In the NE angle of the chancel of St. Bridget’s church (KK027-044001-), Kilree. A rectangular limestone slab (Wth 0.74m; L 2.12m; T 0.12m to ground) with straight sides, decorated with a seven-armed floriated cross in raised relief. There is a three-barred knop below the cross-head and the cross-shaft is banded, the shaft rises from a curving calvary mount. The latin inscription, in a margin around the edge of the top, is in black letter script. It starts in the top sinister side with a date of 1534 in the lower sinister corner. The inscription appears to continue on the lower dexter side and on the top sinister side (I H S) but is very faint. Carrigan (1905, vol. 4, 47), transcribes it as: I. H. S. Hic jacet Thomas Howling quo[n]d[am] Dns de Kilri A˚.D. M˚CCCCCłłłıııi ri die Me[n]s[is] Maii and translates it as: Here lies Thomas Howling, lord of Kilri, the 11th day of the month of May, A.D. 1534. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 5 October 2016

Early Christian gravestone, 7th–9th century. It is significant as an example of Insular Christian art, featuring a seven-armed floriated cross, commonly associated with the spread of Christianity in Ireland.

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