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Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland

Cross-slab

Ionascail, County Donegal, Ireland

Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915) covering the location of Cross-slab, Ionascail, County Donegal, with a pin at the register's coordinates
Ordnance Survey six-inch map, 2nd edition (1888–1915), covering this location. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. The pin is ours, placed from the register's coordinates.

The record

Townland
Ionascail
County
Donegal
Country
Ireland
Coordinates
54.84764, -8.45092
SMR number
DG064-003010-

Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.

David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries

4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1881 map "Ireland to Illustrate the Military Condition of the Country." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).

Historical maps covering this location

  • 1881 · Ireland to Illustrate the Military Condition of the Country. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1891 · Ireland 16 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1900 · Ireland (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
  • 1904 · Sheet 1. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)

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This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗

The National Monuments Service's description

Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide.

This slab (DG064-003010-) (1.2m × 0.47m × 0.09m) is finely decorated on both sides. A continuous band outlines a cross with expanding limbs on the E face. It is filled-in with single band interlace design. Two figure resembling those on the Drumhallagh Cross (DG028-018001-) flank either side of the bottom of the cross. Beneath the cross, two monk-like figures with extended arms bow their heads over an 'altar'. On the W face there is a similar cross. Flanking either side of the top of the cross is a swan and a figure similar to those on the E face. Beneath the cross a horse is depicted drawing a wheeled vehicle. Vague forms, possibly human, can be seen on top of the wheel. The scene is similar to that on the E face of the pedestal of the Cross of the Scriptures at Clonmacnoise.

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Nearby in the register

Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.

Sites and Monuments Record data: National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Record text is reproduced unchanged. National Monuments Service, Government of Ireland · CC BY 4.0
All Cross-slab in Donegal All County Donegal records All Ireland Heritage registers Historical markers (US)National Register of Historic Places (US)
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