St. Declans Tomb

Located towards the top of a N-facings slope with a N-S ravine immediately to the E. St Declan’s Oratory (ext. dims. 6.4m E-W; 4.1m N-S), known in Irish as 'Beannachán Deaglain' (Power 1932c, 19-20) is complete (H of walls 2.2m) with projecting antae (L 0.45m) at E and W, and a lintelled W doorway which is now blocked. It was renovated in 1716 by Dr Thomas Mills, Bishop of Waterford, when the N doorway was inserted, the stone roof restored and the E window rebuilt as a rectangular opening (Westropp 1903, 366-7). An ogham stone (WA040-008005-) was removed from the E gable c. 1855 (FitzGerald 1854-5) and is now kept in the cathedral. The floor (int. dims. 4.1m E-W; 2.65m N-S) is paved with limestone flags, and a rectangular pit (dims. 2.15m E-W; 0.8m N-S; D 0.95m) is set within it, from which pilgrims removed samples of earth. It is traditionally thought to be the grave of St Declan, where a small cross-inscribed black stone (dims. 5cm x 4cm), known as Dhubheen Deaglain - the little black stone of Declan - and used as a charm but now lost, was found (FitzGerald 1860-1, 51-3). (Power 1932c 19-20; Power 1898b, 159-60; Westropp 1903, 366-7; Harbison 1992b, 324-5) FitzGerald, E. (1854-5) On St Declan’s Oratory at Ardmore, County of Waterford, and the old Irish inscription built into its east end. JRSAI 3, 223-31. FitzGerald, E. (1860-1) ‘On Lugud’s leacht, and the “Duivhin Deglain.”’ JRSAI, 6, 47-53. Harbison, P. (1992b) Guide to the national and historic monuments of Ireland. Gill and Macmillan Ltd., Dublin. Power, Rev. P. (1932c) Ardmore; its founder and early Christian monuments. Catholic Truth Society. Dublin Power, Rev. P. (1898b) Excursion guides – 2: Ardmore. WAJ 4, 147-63. Westropp, T. J. (1903) Notes on the antiquities of Ardmore. JRSAI, 33, 353-80. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 17 October 2011

St. Declan’s Tomb at Ardocheasty is associated with the 5th-century Irish saint Declan, and the site includes a small oratory known as 'Beannachán Deaglain'; the tomb and oratory are of early Christian origin and reflect the spread of monastic Christianity in Munster. The site is significant as part of the heritage of early Irish saints and their cults.