Cross-slab (present location)

The National Monuments Service's description

A cross-slab which was found in the graveyard of Dulane church (ME011-037----) c. 1980 was moved to the locked sacristy of the Roman Catholic church of the Sacred Heart at Mullaghey, c. 1.25km to the SE, for safety. It is probably made from schist and was damaged at the top were it now comes to a rough point. The stone has a slight rebate at its left front edge. It has a perfectly executed latin cross (H 0.44m; span 0.3m) incised with double lines. It has expanded square terminals, a ring and hollow angles. There may be the beginning of a fret pattern at its base. Over the cross is the inscription: ÓR DO ANAM / CHAID – Pray for Anmchaid.

Anmchaid is a name that occurs amongst the southern Uí Neill (pers. com. Con Manning, S Ó Riain). An Anmchaid or Anmchaidh occurs amongst the descendants of Niall Noígiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages) within five generations (Ó Muraíle 2003, vol. 1, 381). However, that Amchaid would be too early to have had a cross-slab like this, which is probably ninth or tenth century in date. Closer in time is the Anmchaidh, Bishop of Cill-dara, who died in AD 980. (AFM).

See the attached image

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revised upload: 29 June 2018

References

Ó Muraíle, N 2003 (ed.) The Great Book of Irish Genealogies: compiled (1645-66) by Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhishigh. 5 vols. Dublin, De Búrca

AFM - Annals of the kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the earliest period to the year 1616, ed. and trans. John O'Donovan (7 vols., Dublin, 1851; reprint New York, 1966)