Tomb

Associated with the medieval church of Newtown Earley (KK027-012001-). A large number of graveslabs were uncovered during a clean-up of graveyard (KK027-012009-) in 1985-7 (Harte 1987, 408-17). These are currently lying within the interior of the church. Four slabs, consisting of a mensa or table top (KK027-012005-), front panel (KK027-012006-) and two side panels (KK027-012011- and KK027-012012-) are possibly from the same chest-tomb. These are described and illustrated by Harte (ibid. 411-14, nos. 18, 19, 21 and 22). This side panel (H 0.61m; Wth 0.78m) is described by Harte (ibid. 414, no. 21) as being decorated with, ‘the Fret. Of the St. Legers possibly incorporating the I.H.S. It is carved in much shallower relief than No. (22) with clawtooth tooling’. The accompanying illustration shows a border which varies in thickness from 0.2m to 0.12m (ibid. 413, no. 21). Reference: Harte, R. 1987 Tombstones at Newtown Earley. Old Kilkenny Review 39, 408-17. See attached: KK027-012011-_01 Illustration from Harte 1987, 413, no. 21 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 2 May 2023

Chest tomb, medieval period. Significance lies in its association with the graveyard of Newtown Earley church and the recovery of numerous graveslabs providing insights into local funerary practices.