Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

In the N half of the graveyard (GA021-026026-) on High Island. Recorded by Fisher (2014, 206, no. 12, Fig. 7.3), this tapering garnet mica-schist cross-slab (H 0.66m; Wth 0.36m; T 0.09m), which was probably reused, was found in situ forming the footstone of pseudo Grave 6. Only its E face was decorated. It bears an incised linear cross within a centrally placed ovoid shape that is defined by two incised grooves. At the junctions with the outer ring the cross-arms fork as oblique terminals. An incised roundel is visible in each quadrant. Linear Greek crosses are visible in the upper two. The lower right edge of the slab appears to have been chamfered to enable its insertion into a socket. A similar cross-slab (GA021-026044-) is visible on the grave immediately to the N. This cross-slab is now in the care of the OPW (Athenry depot, Co. Galway, see GA084-151016-). A replica of it has been placed on High Island. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 154, no. 22)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 19 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.