Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

In the SE end of the graveyard (see GA021-026026-) on High Island. Recorded by Fisher (2014, 203, no. 4, Fig. 7.1), this is one three decorated garnet mica-schist cross-slabs (see also GA021-026033- and GA021-026034-) associated with a pseudo grave, Grave 2. It is a tapered cross-slab (H 0.76m; Wth 0.39m; T 0.08m) with a small base tenon (H 0.11m; Wth 0.13m; T 0.04m). It formed the footstone of the grave and was decorated on both faces. The E face bears a Latin cross in low relief with large forks in the upper and side limbs. The shaft rises from a horizontal bar with crosslet terminals. A Greek cross with forked terminals is incised on the W face. Four bosses with hollowed centres are visible between the arms of the cross and damaged bosses are evident at the upper angles of the slab. A T-shaped outline below the cross may be an attempt at a triquetra. The cross-slab is now in the care of the OPW (Athenry depot, Co. Galway, GA084-151012-). A replica has been placed on site. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 147-8, no. 13)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 19 November 2015

References

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

Scally, G. 2014 High Island (Ardoileán), Co. Galway: excavation of an early medieval monastery. Archaeological Monograph Series 10. Dublin. The Stationery Office.