Tomb

Originally from Athassel Abbey (TS068-013----), Co. Tipperary. Currently in the OPW store, Kilkenny (Kilkenny depot stone carving number: KD029). One of five fragments of this chest tomb which are stored in the Kilkenny Depot (see also KK019-026383-; KK019-026394-; KK019-026395- and KK019-026396-), though three of the pieces consist of two or more pieces which have been glued together. Two broken pieces (total dims. L 0.56m; H 0.378m; T 0.165) of a side panel, composed on Dundry stone, which have been glued together. The lower portion of two niches, with a knight in each niche, carved in false relief. The knight (lower portion survives) in the dexter niche is better preserved, wearing a tunic, one knee exposed and the other covered, with a sword gripped in his left hand. He is standing on a rock. Only the right foot resting on a rock survives of the other knight. Another fragment (KK019-026394-), an end piece, appears to fit neatly onto the dexter side. The tomb pieces indicate that the Athassel chest tomb, of which one side panel is on display in the Vicars Choral (see TS061-025005-), at the Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, was a free-standing structure (Manning 2005, 133). Dated by Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 219-20) and Manning (2005, 134) to the late 13th/early 14th century. See attached photograph: KK019-026393-_01 (photograph by Chris Corlett) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 25 January 2023

Chest tomb, late medieval period (13th–15th century). Likely associated with Athassel Abbey, a Cistercian foundation, indicating ecclesiastical or aristocratic funerary practice in medieval Ireland.