Graveyard

The National Monuments Service's description

On the summit of a small grassy hill overlooking N shore of Omey Island. Known locally as Cnocán na mBan, it was, according to local tradition, a burial place reserved for women. It consists of a roughly circular enclosure (D 30m) defined by a much-degraded earthen bank best preserved at S where traces of an external stone revetment can be seen. A cross-slab (GA021-005001-) from the island (Wakeman 1891, 354; Crawford 1913, 152), now lost, has recently been provenanced to this graveyard (OPW file). (Higgins 1987, vol. 11, 299, no. 28)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 7 April 2016

References

Topographic files relating to archaeological monuments compiled by the Office of Public Works. Archive Unit, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Higgins, J.G. 1987 The Early Christian cross slabs, pillar stones and related monuments of County Galway, Ireland, 2 vols. British Archaeological Reports, International Series 375. Oxford.

Crawford, H.S. 1913 A descriptive list of early cross-slabs and pillars. (cont.) Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 43, 151-69, 261-5, 326-34.

Wakeman, W.F. 1891 On the earlier forms of inscribed Christian crosses found in Ireland. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 21, 350-58.