Cross-inscribed stone

The National Monuments Service's description

A simple equal-armed cross with expanded terminals is carved on the interior of the lintel of the gun loop nearest the road of Arkin fort (GA119-005001-). 'This carving is very similar both in size and style to another cross which was carved on the bare vertical rockface above a holy well [GA120-004----] on Inis Oírr. The latter is accompanied by the date ‘1818’ and the name ‘J’ or ‘I Healy’. Such crosses are a special feature of Galway city and its environs and are to be found carved on both public buildings and private dwellings alike. The carvings sometimes incorporate the religious monogram IHS and many bear the same ‘Healy’ name: most are dated 1816. Who Healy was or why he chose to be remembered in this way is a mystery’ (Walsh 1994, 157-8).

GA119-005002-_01.jpg: Right - illustration of the cross (GA119-005002-) carved on the lintel of the gun loop at Arkin fort (GA119-005001-) and left - the dated cross carved on the rock face above the holy well (GA120-004----) on Inis Oírr.

Compiled by: Paul Walsh

Date of upload: 24 July 2015

References

Walsh, P. 1994 Arkin Fort: The Military History of a Garrison Outpost on Árainn. In J. Waddell, J. O'Connell and A. Korff (eds.), The Book of Aran. The Aran Islands, Co. Galway. Kinvarra, 149-58.