Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

This is one of eight cross-slabs (see also GA110-023013- to GA110-023014- and GA110-023016- to GA110-023020-) associated with Leaba Bhreacáin (GA110-023001-). This example is set against the N revetment of the leaba. It consists of a broken roughly subrectangular cross-slab (dims. c. 1.1m x 0.9m; T 0.14m) bearing a two-line Greek cross with splayed terminals and a central roundel with a cupmark or depression. The cross is set within a two-line circle. Traces of an inscription, SCI BRE NI (which reads SANTI BRECANI), are evident in the three surviving cantons of the cross (Waddell 1973, 17-18, no. 4). (Macalister 1985, 379-80; Westropp 1895, 252; Crawford 1913, 153 (a); Higgins 1987, vol. 2, 358, no. 80 and see also no. 1)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 9 March 2016

References

Waddell, J. 1973 An archaeological survey of Temple Brecan, Aran. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 33, 5-27.

Westropp, T.J. 1895 Proceedings: Aran Islands. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 25, 250-74.

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.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1895 Miscellanea: Crosses at Kilbrecan, Aran. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 25, 379-80.

Crawford, H.S. 1913 A descriptive list of early cross-slabs and pillars. (cont.) Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 43, 151-69, 261-5, 326-34.