Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Described in the 19th century as a cross-slab located on the 'northern edge of the and it is almost hidden by brambles and whitethorn bushes at a point where the tortuous and now unfrequented pass winds through the lands of Drisoge' and as a 'grayish-brown sandstone, of an irregular form, measuring 46 inches [1.16m] in length, by 18 in. [0.45m] width, and 6 inches [0.15m] thick. The only device upon it is a cross; but neither letters nor inscription are traceable, located about a furlong from the sepulchral slab, and on the opposite side of the road, stand the ruins of the church of Killourney' (OF022-012001-) (Cooke 1857, 381). According to Cooke 'the sketch accompanying this paper is a faithful representation of an old sepulchral stone which lies flat on the edge of an ancient narrow and crooked highway, that formerly was the only public pass from the village of Cloghan to that of Ferbane' (Cooke 1857, 380). The article states that the 'sketch represents a slab with a plain cross, cut in relief; its arms combined by a circle' (Cooke 1857, 380). No surface remains of the cross-slab which may have been taken from Killowney church (OF022-012001-) and graveyard (OF022-012002-) and erected at a new location in the townland of Drishoge or Strawberry Hill. This cross-slab was mistakenly attached to the SMR file of Killowney Beg church.
This site was mistakenly associated with the church and graveyard at Killowney, SMR number was changed from OF022-012003- to new SMR Number OF022-028.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload / revision : 18 August 2010

References

Cooke, T.L. 1857 Wayside monument at Drisoge, Co. Offaly. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 4, 380-85.