Dara (Durrow) Grave slabs, Co. Offaly
Location :
About 4 miles N of Tullamore on the main Tullamore/ Kilbeegan
road (N62), just about 1 mile S of Durrow village itself. Not signposted
and within a private estate.
Features :
The small monastery here was founded in 553 A.D. by St. Colm
Cille (Columba) and houses a complete scriptures cross called
the west cross,and a series of grave slabs. On this page we have
a series of 4 insribed slabs that commemorate some ecclesiastical
personages. One slab reads 'Or do Aigidiu', another 'Or do
Cathalan' in old gaelic. The famous 'Book of Durrow' was
attributed to having been made here (prior to 810 A.D.).
Dates :
9th. - 11th. century A.D.
© Paul Griffin, 2000
