What is recorded here

Graveslab in Robertstown (kells Lower By.) is a 1618 memorial for Alexander Barnewall and Alison Nettervil, now fallen into the crypt of St. Bridget’s church. Its centre bears both family arms, an Irish phrase, two Maltese crosses, and a skull with crossed bones encircled by RESPICE FINEM. A later 1813 renewal by Robr McMahon is cut between the shield and bones, marking how the grave kept being tended long after the buried man stopped breathing.

From King (1987, 300): ROBERTSTOWN I. Graveslab. 1618. This slab has fallen into the crypt of St. Bridget’s church. It is dedicated to Alexander Barnewall and Alison Nettervil. The centre of the slab is filled with the arms of these two familiies, below which there is an Irish inscription: GAN GAN EAGLE. Underneath there are two maltese crosses and a skull nad crossed bones with the words RESPICE FINEM encircling the skull. A marginal inscription in relief in Roman capitrals is as follows: HERE LYETH THE CO / RPS OF ALEXANDER BARNEWAL SOMETYM / (damage) TSTOWNE WH / O DECEASEED THE 3 OF NOVEMBER 1596 ALSON NET / TIRVIL HIS WIFE WHO / CAVSED THIS MON / VMENT TO BE MADE / ANNO 1618. A nineteenth century repair of the monument is recorded in incised lettering between the shield and the crossed bones: YS MONUMENT RENEWED BY ROBR MCMAHON FOR HIS POSTERITY 1813. Dimensions: L 2.16m; Wth 0.92m. (Smith 1889) Date of upload: 9 July, 2014

Graveslab; early 17th century. The slab is historically significant as it commemorates Alexander Barnewall and Alison Nettervil, indicating the presence of a local gentry family associated with St. Bridget’s church.

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