Gobban Saers Grave — Lurgoe

On a low island of dry land surrounded on all sides by bogland with good views in all directions. Multiperiod church (TS054-002001-) located 50m to S and enclosure (TS054-001----) 300m to W. Originally this was the location of a trapezoidal-shaped cemetery located on the E side of the island (Ryan 1980, 10). Three medieval graveslabs (TS054-002004-; TS054-002009-; TS054-002010-) marked on six inch OS 6-inch map as the 'Goban Saer's Grave'. This area was traditionally believed to be the burial place of the Goban Saer (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 180-4). According to White (1892, 46-7) 'further down the slope to the north, are the graves of the Gobann and his wife and two children. Stones of coffin shape mark the place and bear quaint figures and curious celtic tracery. Heretofore, these relics were religiously preserved, but latterly they have suffered in some ways. A barabarian smashed one of the stones some years ago and obliterated the tracves with a chisel'. Traditionally the Gobaun was said to have been Grand Master of the ancient order of Freemasons in Ireland (ibid.). One of the slabs consists of a much weathered tapered slab surviving in two portions (upper portion L 0.5m; Wth 0.8m; T 0.09m; lower portion L 1.14m; top Wth 0.75m; base Wth 0.65; T 0.11m). Poorly preserved decorated slab which posesses two defaced faces carved in relief off which only the mouth and neck are visible. There is a motif in relief consisting of four lentoids between the two heads, between the two heads there are the remains of two incised crosses within an incised circle (Maher 1997, 55). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 41/1935).