What is recorded here

Abbeydorney monastery in County Kerry once held a tomb built by Ambrosius Piers, vicar general of Ardfert, who ordered its construction in 1587. Some accounts later shifted the date to 1687 or separated the tomb from its inscription, but the chamber itself remains unmarked and unnamed. A man of authority chose his own burial place before death, then vanished from the story entirely.

Revd. Power (1929, 92) recorded that; 'Richard Hitchcock (Kilkenny Archaeological Journal, vol. II. p. 131.) quotes the following inscription from a tombstone here : Ambrosius Piers, vic. Gen. Dioces. Ardfert. Hunc tumulum sibi fieri fecit. Anno 1587." The Rev. B. Rowan, D.D., Belmont, Tralee, sent Hitchcock a report about this inscription in which he stated that 'I send you an inscription from Abbey-dorney church more ancient than any you have given: AMBROSIUS PIERS. VIC. GEN. DIOCES. ARDFERT HUNC TUMULUM SIBI FIERI FECIT, ANNO 1587' (Hitchcock 1852, 131). An alternative reading of this inscription and its location is described by John O'Donovan in 1841 as follows; 'There is a tomb erected in the north wall near the north-east corner but there is no inscription to show to whom it was erected On a small limestone flag lying opposite it is the following inscription in Roman capitals, but this inscription does not appear to be as ancient as the tomb. Ambrosius Piers Vic: G. Dioces: Ardfert hunc tumulum sibi fieri curavit. Anno 1687' (O'Donovan 1983, 37). The precise location of this 16th century tomb within the NE angle of Abbeydorney monastery (KE021-053001-) has not been located. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 July 2022

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