Tomb — chest tomb in Ballyneill (kilmurry Par.)

Within Kilmurry church (TS078-53----) towards E end of church against interior S wall. This altar-tomb rest on a limestone plinth with a chamfered edge which has been placed on a mortared stone setting. Recumbent slab (L 2.16m; Wth top 1m; Wth base 0.95m; T 0.14m including chamfered edge) on top is very worn. Cross-head with fleur-de-lys terminals and shaft rests on curving calvary mount with skull and cross-bones. The inscription, in raised black letter in the margin and continues in panels on the slab itself. The lettering is quite worn but was transcribed in 1907 by Power (1907, 300) as 'HIC JACET GENEROSI CONIU- STANTINUS NEALE ET HONORA PURCEL DE BALLYNEALE. ILLE OBYT 12 MART 1629: ILLA 4 MART QUORU FILIUS ET HAERES D.JOHANNES NEALE EJUSQUE UXOR HONORA WALSH PRO SE SUISQUE HEREDITARIO JURE PRO POSTERIS HOC MONUMENTUM EX STRUXERUNT APR. 9.16-- ORATE PRO AETR. VICTORIBUS EJUS'. The slab is badly cracked from the bottom dexter corner to the top of the slab on the sinister side and also fractured across the cross-head on the dexter side. It has been crudely repaired with a cement insert. Front side panel (L 1.74m; H 0.6m) depicts the instruments of the passion including from right to left the seamless garment, the purse of money, 30 pieces of silver, three dice, Pilate's jug resting on the basin, the cock on the scourging pillar with ropes entwined, a scourge(?) to the right of the pillar and two flails of knotted cord to the left, a reed or lily, pincers holding three nails, hammer, spear, cup on a pole, lantern, cross with crown of thorns, Peter's sword and the ear he cut off, ladder, and the five wounds depicted as hands, feet and a heart pierced by three nails. E end panel (L 0.94m; H 0.7m) consists of an elaborate interlaced IHS defined on either side by a fluted pillar. The right pillar continues onto the side panel. W end panel (L 0.9m; Wth 0.49m) has been displaced and is lying recumbent, projecting out in step-like fashion from the concrete facing currently on E face. Panel depicts a crucifixion scence within a semi-circular arch. No other figures except Christ are depicted. Appear to be no other arches. A fluted pillar forms a decorative border at the dexter side and continues onto the front side panel. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 13 January 2015