Tomb

Positioned in a niche in the N wall of the N transept of the cathedral (TS061-025003-) on the Rock of Cashel. Hunt (1974, vol. 1, 221) suggests that this side panel (L 1.06m) is 'probably the end-slab of a double effigial tomb carved with three figures under ogee canopies and with coats of arms between them. On the dexter side is St Michael, winged and holding scales, one part of which is seized by a devil. St Michael has a sword upraised in the right hand: next is a shield bearing three fishes, probably for Hackett; then, a figure of an archbishop holding a cross-staff in his left hand and blessing with his right: beside this is a shield with an indented chief differenced by a bendlet sinister, and the sinister figure is St John the Baptist with a book in his left hand and the head of a camel-skin hanging down beneath his feet. On the top member of the tomb front are the remains of lettering. It is possible to read an S and MA in black-letter over the central figure, suggesting St Thomas of Canterbury; BUTLER and an S over the indented coat and OHES BAP over St John. The return ends of the slab are caved with small ogee canopies with elaborate pinnacles above, bearing foliage and interlace'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 20 November 2015

Effigial tomb slab, medieval period. Likely part of a funerary monument, indicating the presence of a burial or commemorative tradition associated with the Rock of Cashel ecclesiastical complex.