Graveslab in Tullowphelim

17th century graveslab (dims. L 2.04m; Wth 0.95m) dedicated to Walter Mottly a merchant in the town (CW008-045----) of Tullow who was interred inside the chancel of Tullow Church (CW008-045006-). Described in the Urban Survey of County Carlow (Bradley et. al. 1990, 70) as ‘a very worn rectangular limestone slab with a five armed cross, symbols of the Passion and marginal inscription in very low false relief: HIC JACET WALTER/ VS MOTTLY ET VXOR EIVS IOANA WYSE TERRA FUI QUONDAM RVRSVS SVM TERRA NIHIL SVM TERRA CADVCA VALE VERMES SA / LVETE R / ECVBO 1626’. In 1892-4 the following account was given: 'Ryan, in his "History of the County Carlow," gives this inscription, but omits most of the Capital letters. He also mentions the following, "in raised letters on an old stone" ':— "HIC . JACET • WALTERUS • MOTTLY • ET . UXOR EJUS • JOANNA • WYSE • TERRA .FUI • QUONDAM RURSUS SUM . TERRA • NIHIL • SUM • TERRA • VALE. 1626."(Anon 1892-4, 445). Described in 1898-1900 as following, 'The measurements of the Mottly slab are 6 ft. 5 inches (1.95m) long, 3 feet (0.91m) broad, and 6 inches (0.15m) thick. Down the centre of both slabs runs an ornamental five-armed cross with an interlaced stem; the arms end off in the fleur-de-lys,and the head consists of three concentric circles. On either side of the stem can be traced emblems of our Lord's Passion and Crucifixion; but the devices, originally in low relief, are now so much worn that it is very difficult to distinguish the emblems. In each slab, one end and one side are bevelled underneath; the other end and side rough. The sculptor of these slabs was one Murtagh Murray, whose name appears on the Byrne slab. The literal translation of the epitaph (for which my thanks are due to the Rev. J. L. Jesson) occurs on both the slabs, and is as follows : Terra fui quondam, = I once was earth, Eursus sum terra, — I am earth again, Nihil sum, — I am nothing else. Terra caduca vale, = Farewell, frail earth ! Vermes salvete, recubo. = Hail, Worms ! I lay me down.' (FitzGerald 1898-1900, 187-8). The Funeral Entries in the Ulster's Office recorded that Walter Mottly, a merchant in Tullow 'departed this mortall life at Tullaphelim aforesaid the 11th day of January 1638, and was interred in the chauncell of the Parish Church (CW008-045006-) of Tullaphelim aforesaid the 14th of the same monneth' (Ibid., 188). See attached drawing of graveslab taken from Lord Walter FitzGerald 1898-1900, 187. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 25 September 2014