Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

This cross-slab is located c. 6.5m to the S of the church (GA021-026014-) on High Island, between the church enclosure (GA021-026021-) and the monastic enclosure (GA021-026022-). It is one of two cross-slabs (see also GA021-026016-) that were found among debris within the latter enclosure and it was placed at this spot in 1869 by Kinahan (1869, 348). Described by Fisher (2014, 210, no. 20, Figs. 7.4, 7.12) as a garnet mica-schist cross-slab (H 1.1m; Wth 0.39m; T 0.1m) which is decorated on both faces. The S face bears a short-armed expansional cross with a central roundel and D-shaped terminals in low relief. The right terminal is broken off and the top one is damaged. A boss is visible in the upper left quadrant. The N face bears a much-worn linear cross with forked terminals. (Higgins 1987, vol. II, 340-41, no. 66; White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 143-4, no. 5)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 18 December 2015

The following image has been uploaded: GA021-026025-_02.jpg S face of cross-slab

References

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.

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.

Kinahan, G.H. 1869b Proceedings: ancient remains on the islands off the western coast of Iar-Connaught. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 10, 348.