Does the cadaver tombstone need to be protected
IT’S been there for hundreds of years, but I wonder for how much longer.
The cadaver tombstone, placed in a wall in St Peter’s Church of Ireland cemetery, is a true work of art.
The tombstone slab can be found embedded in the wall at the north-east corner of St Peter’s graveyard, together with the four sides of the tomb itself.
The tombstone dates back to the 14th century and while it was big in Europe, it can be pretty rare to see it in this country.
It shows bodily decomposition and human mortality and centred on the Great Plaque of 1347-50.
The Drogheda stone is linked to Sir Edmond Golding and his wife Elizabeth Fleming, who was the daughter of the Baron of Slane. The Flemings were at Slane before the Conynghams.
The stone is a truly remarkable sight and stands at about 7ft.
I have actually seen the two other Cadaver stones in the region, one in Beaulieu and the other in the cemetery in Stamullen.