Inscribed stone

The National Monuments Service's description

One of the large irregularly shaped limestone boulders forming the basal layer of the wall of the ecclesiastical enclosure (GA095-020001-), near the gap at SSW, bears an anchor or an anchor-cum-cross (Higgins 1987, vol. II, 399, no. 118). The grooved motif (L 0.51m; Wth of arm/transom 0.22m; Wth between two points of anchor 0.38m) occupies much of the central part of the surface of the boulder. The ends of the transom splay outwards. The gently curving U-shaped line forming the base of the anchor extends beyond the tangs on either side of it. The top of the shaft bears a loop on its right-hand side. It is possible that the loop is a residual element derived from the Chi-Roo motif. The fact that some attempt was made to prepare the stone and the care with which the motif was executed suggest that it was intentionally carved and that it is not an idle piece of graffiti (ibid.). (Fox et al. 1978, 56)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 6 December 2016

References

Fox, E., Leonard, M. and O'Dowd, P. 1978 Ó Ghaillimh go Ceann Boirne. Introduction to Burrenology. Galway. Regional Technical College.

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.