Tomb — effigial in Gowran

In the 13th-century church of St Mary (KK020-060006-) in Gowran, at the W end of the N aisle of the nave, against the N wall. A cadaver effigial chest tomb carved in false relief in limestone. It consists of a mensa (L 1.27m; Wth 0.92m; D 0.27m) with the skeletal figure of Death within a shroud, accompanied by a scythe and dart (Roe 1969, 16). The inscription in Latin, in Roman capitals begins in the upper sinister corner and continues both within the border (D 0.13m) around the edge of the mensa and for 5 lines across the top. It has been transcribed by Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 406) as, ‘HIC JACET IACOBVS KEALY VIR HONESTISSIMI GENERIS BVRGENSIS GAVERANENSIS MVNICIPALIS, QVI OBIIT DIE [ ] ANNO DOMINI 1626 ET VXOR EIVS ELLENA NAISH QVAE ETIAM OBIIT DIE [ ] ANNO SALVTIS HVMANAE [ ] QVORVM ANIMABVS DEVS PROPITIETVR’. This roughly translates as, ‘Here lies James Kealy honourable burgess of the town of Gowran, who died on the [ ] day of the year of our Lord 1626 and his wife Ellen Nash, who also died on the [ ] day of the year of our Saviour [ ] on whose souls may the Lord have mercy’. The edge of the mensa is straight-sided (D 0.05m) before chamfering towards the base. The chest tomb is on a chamfered (Wth 0.17m) pedestal (L 2.3m; Wth 0.98m) with a straight edge at the base (D 0.08m). The front panel (L 1.98m; H 0.62m) is decorated with symbols of the Passion within four round-headed niches separated by fluted pillars. The easternmost niche contains a ladder, the five wounds represented by the hands, feet and heart of the crucified Christ, as well as a hammer, spear, axe and thirty pieces of silver shown in two vertical lines under a lantern on a crooked staff. In the sinister spandrel there is the head of a man, probably Judas, with a draw-string purse beneath it and the twisted cord handle around the man's neck. In the dexter spandrel there is a crescent moon with a face in profile. The next niche contains a plain cross with a crown of thorns around the cross-head and other symbols of the Passion on either side including Peter’s sword and an ear and a sceptre of reeds (used to mock Christ). The next niche contains a scourging pillar with ropes twisted around it, which is surmounted by a cock. The sinister spandrel has a sun and the dexter spandrel has a brush of birch twigs (used to beat Christ). In the westernmost niche there is Veronica’s towel bearing the face of Christ and beneath this there is a basin and jug and towel with which Pilate washed and dried his hands. Beneath this is a seamless robe. The carving in the dexter spandrel of this niche does not survive. The E side panel (Wth 0.94m; H 0.62m) is decorated with two round-headed niches separated by fluted pillars. The dexter niche contains the crucifixion with an INRI over the cross. The figure of Christ and St Peter in the adjacent niche are executed in low relief in a naïve style, with details incised. Christ rests on a curving Calvary mount with the skull and crossbones of Golgotha. St Peter, whose name is carved in Latin in the arch of the niche, holds a large key in his right hand and possibly a book in his left hand. His feet are both facing right and his is wearing an Irish mantle and possibly a felt hat. There is a rosette to the right of his head and a flower to the left. There is a flower or floral motif with each spandrel of the panel. The W panel is decorated with two round-headed niches separated by fluted pillars. The dexter niche contains the figure of St Patrick, whose name in Latin is carved in the arch of the niche. He is wearing ecclesiastical robes and a pointed mitre, his right arm is raised in blessing and his left arm holds a double-armed cross-staff with trefoil terminals. The dexter edge of the panel is broken off. The sinister niche contains a plain cross with expanded terminals which rises from the cross-bar of the H of a large HIS motif, beneath which are three stylised nails and two rosettes. There is a flower in the spandrel on either side. The theological context of the images of this monument is discussed by Cockerham (2009, 271-2). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 17 September 2019