This great example of a Rathdown style grave slab is huge. The others, such as at Rathmichael Church (County Dublin), are tiny in comparison. This one is nearly 6 feet tall.
There are four parts to the decoration. a cup and ring at the top, then an encircled cross and then two more cup and ring motifs below that.
The only down side of this slab is that it now stands in the Dalkey Heritage Centre, in Goat castle, next to the church where the slab used to stand. Although this means that it is protected from the elements, it also means that you have to pay to see the slab. A family ticket into the centre costs 14 euro, which is fairly good value. The centre has many displays, which obviously focus on Joyce's relationship with the area. The staff are wonderfully informed and helpful.
Back to the slab. This one is probably the finest of them all and well worth a visit. The size alone will impress you, but the motifs used on it are wonderful. Apart from the Tully slab I have seen all of the Rathdown slabs now, and this is definitely my favourite.
A Random Selection of Nearby Monuments
Gallarus (Co. Kerry) | Drakestown (Co. Meath) | Kilteel (Co. Kildare) |
Killiney (Co. Dublin) | Whitechurch - Grave Slab (Co. Dublin) | Maghera (Co. Down) |
Show All 18 Grave or Cross Slabs Featured on megalithomania.com