Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument No. 313. A sixth century monastery was founded at Durrow reputedly by Colum Cille [of the church] who died in 597 and whose feastday is celebrated on the 9th of June (Ó Riain 2011, 213-14). Early Christian cross-inscribed slab (dims. H 0.88; Wth 0.7m; T 0.21m) possibly of 9th century date that was built into E face of W wall of Durrow graveyard (OF009-005009-). This slab along with four others have been recently moved into the conserved C of I church (OF009-005013-) which now houses the high cross (OF009-005010-). Described by Crawford (1913, 263) as a 'rectangular sandstone slab 2ft. 11in. (0.89m) by 2ft. 6in. (0.76m), incised with a ringed cross, having a square centre, and rectangular extremities, all containing knots. The arms of the cross are nearly equal in length, and the ring is ornamented with plaits. Below the cross is the inscription or do cathalan'. Durrow (c) in Crawfords catalogue of cross-slabs at Durrow.
This slab was described by Macalister (1949, 41-2) as`an equal-armed cross in a circle contained within a rectangular frame in relief. A square expansion at the centre with a spiral interlacement in the centre: rectangular expansions at the ends of the arms with ordinary interlacements...On the circle are running spirals, alternatively round and square'. The inscription reads O~R~DOCHATHALAN which can be expanded to OROIT DO CHATHALAN (Petrie and Stokes 1878, 56-7). See attached drawing of image taken from Macalister 1949.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 23 April 2014

References

Petrie, G. 1878 Christian inscriptions in the Irish language. Chiefly collected and drawn by George Petrie, LL. D.; and edited by Margaret Stokes, 2 vols. Dublin.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1949 Corpus Inscriptionum Insularum Celticarum, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

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.

Ó Riain, P. 2011 A dictionary of Irish Saints. Dublin. Four Courts Press.