tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305522918435483160.post2973842095020769649..comments2024-03-04T00:18:59.554+00:00Comments on Ireland In Ruins: Old Athlumney Church Co MeathCastlehunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11225021319443029751noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305522918435483160.post-19933010595357744012012-08-05T13:59:43.628+01:002012-08-05T13:59:43.628+01:00Hi Max,
Thanks again for your welcome comments. ...Hi Max, <br /><br />Thanks again for your welcome comments. I have come across the skull & crossbones in several places but it is excellent to have some knowledgeable background to the above grave slab. As always your comments are greatly appreciated.Castlehunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11225021319443029751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7305522918435483160.post-85894102781646279552012-08-02T23:15:29.244+01:002012-08-02T23:15:29.244+01:00Greetings Castlehunter!
I greatly enjoy your archi...Greetings Castlehunter!<br />I greatly enjoy your archive blog, and can add to your Athlumney Church mention of the skull and crossbones grave slab.Your informant is correct in suggesting that the skull and crossbones, may show a masonic connection, as they are part of the Emblems of Mortality. As the Grand Lodge of Ireland was constituted in 1725, I am not sure when Freemasonry was first practised in Ireland. <br />The grave slab, known as the Chevers-Goff, lies inside the church ruins, and is the oldest recorded inscription (1692), made by Isaac Butler in his “Journey to Loch Derg,” about 1740, not a single word of it can be seen. <br /> A large unlettered slab lies inside the church, about one third of the way, from the east window and near to the south wall . It is level with the ground and measures 6ft 9 ins by 3.5 ft. It bears a coat of arms impaled, above a helmet, disappearing below a skull and crossbones. The Chevers and Goff coats of arms are displayed, at the top of the shield. All cut in high relief. The dexter coat consists of a chevron between three goats salient- the Arms of the Chevers family, of Macetown. The sinister or wife's coat is a chevron between two fleurs-de-lis, in chief, and a lion rampant in base; the Goff Arms. I have found nothing on the Chevers-Gough marriage.<br /> <br />With best regards,<br />Max CheversMax Chevershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18351412944540775058noreply@blogger.com