Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross-slab is c. 1.5m to the SSE of a holy well (GA021-026006-). It was previously located at the church (Wakeman 1839a). When Macalister (1896, 206, cross B) visited the island in 1896 it was leaning against the wall of the holy well. Described by Fisher (2014, 210, no. 21, Figs. 7.4, F.12) as a tapering garnet mica-schist slab (H 0.73m; Wth 0.54m; T 0.07m) which is decorated on both faces. The N face bears a linear cross that cuts through an irregular circle and ends with forked terminals. The outlines of the circle and terminals are repeated by firm grooves, giving the appearance of an outline cross. A hollow or weathered boss is enclosed by a curving groove in the upper left angle and this motif was probably repeated in the right angle. On the S face there is a linear cross with curving forked terminals. This cross is similar to that on the cross-slab (GA021-026049-) which was found at the base of the altar in the church (GA021-026014-) (ibid., 212). See also GA021-026007- for another similar cross-slab. (Wakeman 1891, 351, Pl. I, no. 6, 353 Pl. I, no. 51; White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 142, no. 2; Higgins 1987, vol. II, 294-5, no. 25)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 18 December 2015

References

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.

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.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1896a The antiquities of Ardoilean, County Galway. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 26, 197-210.

Fisher, I. (revised by Scally, G. and Maddern, C.) 2014 Catalogue of cross-slabs. In G. Scally, High Island (Ardoileán), Co. Galway: Excavation of an early medieval monastery. Archaeological Monograph Series 10. Dublin. The Stationery Office.