KD040-002013 - Castledermot Hogback Burial Stone

sketchfab

The only recorded Viking hogback burial stone in Ireland has been discovered by this survey, revealing previously unseen details. Hogback Tombs are a Scandinavian-style tomb style that is more commonly found in North England and Scotland, dating back to the 10th century AD. According to Lang, the Castledermot Hogback's style reflects a connection between Ireland and 'Norse-Irish' settlements in Cumberland and Yorkshire. Although the Castledermot Hogback is an outlier in terms of location, it fits within the style of tombs found in these regions. Lang notes that the stone mason was either working from the direction of a patron or design guide. The Christian iconography on the stone is in an Irish style, suggesting that the patron or designer was either a Scandinavian colonist who spent time in Yorkshire or Cumberland or at least open to Viking-style influences. J.T. Lang's article "JRSAI Vol. 101, No. 2 (1971), pp. 154-158" provides further insights into this discovery. The urban archaeological survey conducted by Bradley et al. in 1986 also sheds light on the significance of this find. This project was funded by the Kildare Co. Co. Community Heritage Grant.