Tomb

From: O’Mahony, A. (1987, 16, No. 6) This tombstone (Wth 0.9m; H 2.1m) is attached to the built-up north wall of the South Transept. It is the cover of an altar tomb. There is a central foliate cross and the inscription is along the edge. It reads: Hic Jacent petrus butler filius Richard domini. vicecomitis. de Mountgarret. Quondam de cloaghnekyrach Armig qui obijt 4 die Junii A(o) d 1599 & Margareta deuereux usor eius q hoc monumenttu. fiery fecit in mense decembris A(o) d(o) 1602 & ex hac seeculo migrauit blank (Here lie Piers Butler, son or Richard, Lord Viscount Mountgarrett, formerly of Cloghnekyrach, Esq., who died on the 4th day of June 1599 A.D. and Margaret Devereux, his wife, who had this monument made in the month of December 1602 A.D. and departed from this life ) (Vigors 1898-1900; Hore 1900-11, vol. 1, 86-8) The Richard Butler mentioned was the second son of Piers Butler, eight earl of Ormond. As a reward for services to the crown Edward VI directed in August 1550 that he be created 1st Viscount Mountgarret. By deed, dated 2nd June 1563, Richard enfeoffed John Devereux, Dean of Ferns, in the lands of Caher, alias Cloughneacragh or Wilton (WX025-026001-), to the use in part of his son Piers (Petrus, Peter) and his wife Margaret Devereux and the remainder to his heirs male. Both Richard and his father Piers Butler are buried in St. Canice’s in Kilkenny (Lodge 1789, vol. 4, 22, 27). Attached to the north wall of the North Transept is the stone from the side of the tomb (Wth 1.64m; H 0.57m) described above. It shows a crown of thorns in the centre with various emblems of the crucifixion on either side, including scourge, two spears, one with sponge, Christ’s garment, hammer, pincers, ladder, cross, whips and dice. Beside this sidestone is one of the endstones (Wth 0.77m H 0.53m) of the same tomb. It shows a large, interlaced IHUS (Jesus). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of uplaod: 3 August, 2012

Medieval chest tomb; 14th–15th century. Its significance lies in its architectural and decorative features, including the foliate cross, which reflect the ecclesiastical art and funerary practices of the late medieval period in Ireland.