Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Early Christian monastery (OF041-004001-) founded by St Cuimín in the seventh century (Cooke 1875, 209-14). Kilcomin [Ceall Chuimín/Cill Chuimín/church of Cuimín] named after Cuimín Fada [long] a seventh century saint who was born in the territory of Caoille Conaill, located between Rathfran bay and Lacken Bay, in the barony of Tirawley, Co. Mayo where his family operated a school (Ó Riain 2011, 245). The Ordnance Survey Letters of 1838 identified Kilcommon old churchyard with ‘Disert Chuimin’ which was located close to the borders of Leinster and Munster (Herity 2008, 182).
Situated on a natural rise of ground overlooking river to the E. Located in the centre of the graveyard (OF041-004002-) are the poorly preserved remains of a rectangular church (OF041-004----). Three large grass covered flagstones in the W sector of the graveyard (OF041-004002-) are marked on the OS 6-inch map as 'St. Cuimin's Seat'. The lower half of a sandstone Early Christian cross-slab has been recently mounted on a plinth and placed up against the internal face of the S graveyard wall, located close to the SE corner of the graveyard. A new limestone upper portion of the cross has been carved and placed on top of the original lower half.

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: 12 June 2014

References

Cooke, T.L. 1875 The early history of the town of Birr. Dublin. Robertson.

Herity, M. (ed.) 2008 Ordnance Survey Letters Offaly. Dublin. Four Masters Press.

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