St. Conlan's Church (TN014-045001-) Death's Head

Description

Smiling death's head carved into a stone now built into the external face at the western end of the south wall of St. Conlan's medieval church ruins at Youghalvillage (Sráidbhaile Eochaille), Co. Tipperary, in the parish of Youghalarra (Eochaill), barony of Owney and Arra, diocese of Killaloe. The carving of the human skull symbolised death, and in this instance the smiling expression represents acceptance of this inevitable fate and a looking forward to this event, reflecting the religious beliefs of the deceased. A secon death's head carving is located to the right of this stone. For information on St. Conlan's Church ruins, visit: https://maps.archaeology.ie/HistoricEnvironment/?SMRS=TN014-045001-