Cross-slab (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

Originally located on High Island (see GA021-026032-). Recorded by Fisher (2014, 201, no. 1, Fig. 7.1), this cross-slab (H 0.97m; Wth 0.31m; T 0.02-0.03m) of garnet mica-schist formed the footstone of Grave 1, which contained skeletal remains dating from the early 11th to the late 12th century. It was probably reused. It tapers slightly to a rounded base and expands with convex armpits in the upper part to form a minimal cross with a squared head. Both faces are decorated. The east face bears irregular notches which define the head of an outline Latin cross. Irregular bosses are evident in the upper armpits. A central roundel encloses an equal-armed linear cross, the three upper limbs of which terminate in forks. On the west face a similar linear cross is set on a boss. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 147, no. 12)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 18 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.

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.