Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

In the SE end of the graveyard (GA021-026026-) on High Island. Recorded by Fisher (2014, 201, no. 2, Fig. 7.1), this is one of three decorated garnet mica-schist cross-slabs (see also GA021-026034- and GA021-026035-) associated with a pseudo grave, Grave 2. It was probably reused. Cruciform in shape with short side-arms (H 0.79m; Wth 0.28m; T 0.03m), it was found in situ in a recess in the external face of the E wall of the church (GA021-026014-). It formed the headstone of the grave and was decorated on both faces. The decoration on the E face consists of a central roundel within which are traces of an equal-armed cross with a combination of straight and slightly forked terminals. A linked pair of bosses is evident in the top left quadrant, the right quadrant is damaged. The decoration on this face is similar to that on the E face of the cross-slab (GA021-026032-) on Grave 1. On the concealed W face of this slab there is a linear cross with forked terminals on the cross-head. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 148, no. 14)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 18 November 2015

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.

White Marshall, J. and Rourke, G.D. 2000 High Island: an Irish monastery in the Atlantic. Dublin. Town House and Country House.