Exciting 14^th century discovery

Mary Casteleyn (Vice Chairman of the Society) and her colleague Bernadette Kirwan spent the Summer transcribing headstones in County Kilkenny. With the permission of the landowner, Joe O'Connell, Mary and Bernie were transcribing the mainly 19th century headstones in the graveyard at the ruined 13th century church of Newtown Jerpoint. Newtown Jerpoint is the site of a medieval village which was abandoned sometime in the 16th century. The ruined church is dedicated to St Nicholas and an effigy of an ecclesiastic in the graveyard is popularly believed to be St Nicholas. The area is not tidy, very uneven and stones lie about all over the graveyard. Whilst pulling back grass which had overgrown one stone which was flat but slightly protruding from the grass, Mary and Bernie thought at first they had another mid nineteenth century headstone but were surprised to find a little pair of feet incised onto the stone, then the hem of a gown. At this stage they realised they had uncovered a very early stone of medieval date and went to call the landowner to advise him of their find and need to call in the appropriate authorities. The stone is a previously unknown 14th century medieval tomb slab of an abbot or a monk, whose hands are pressed together in eternal prayer and whose head rest on a cushion with tassels in the four corners. There is an inscription which reads (in latin) "Here lies Thomas (Poer?), Pray for his Soul". The experts, who describe the find as "significant" were unsure of the surname and may come back with a clearer reading but Mary’s take on the surname is “Poer”, a local Waterford/Kilkenny Norman name. The whole site is beautifully situated near the River Nore. The site was subject to an extensive survey in 2007 by The Heritage Council who have produced a conservation plan for Newtown Jerpoint. Interestingly Newtown Jerpoint was the site of medieval pilgrimages devoted to St Nicholas; there is evidence of 27 dwellings, 14 of which are supposed to have been taverns, presumably to refresh the pilgrims!

Stone where it was discovered

The graveyard

The top of the stone

Insrciption