Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Twenty cross slabs (WI042-019006-/026-) can be seen scattered about the graveyard (WI042-019003-), all of which have been reused as upright burial markers, which largely explains the main distribution of the cross slabs in the southern part of the graveyard, coinciding with the main area of 18th and 19th century headstones. It is clear that the majority of the cross slabs were originally intended as recumbent slabs, however, their current use as upright headstones means that most of the slabs are partially concealed, thereby limiting the visible features. The majority are schist slabs, except for Cross slabs 2, 11, 15 and 16 which are of granite (Corlett 2019).
Cross-slab described in 1925 (Crawford, 66) as following; 'The little slab, or pillar, which stands near the south-east angle of the church (WI042-019001-), is not mentioned [by Graves 1883), unless the following sentence on page 83 refers to it "There is also the base of a small cross not far from the E end of church, and the cross which apparently stood on it forms the headstone of a grave close by". The stone here illustrated is a rough wedge of slate about 3 feet [0.9m] in length and tapering to a regular point. It seems quite unsuited to stand in a socket, and probably never did so. On one side is carved a Greek cross with expanding ends, surrounded by a circle 8½ inches [0.22m] in diameter. On the other a human head or mask about the same size as the cross'. The present location of this cross-slab within Aghowle graveyard (WI042-019003-) is unknown. The attached photographs show the cross-slab set into one of the holed cross-bases (WI042-019027-). The rectangular stone trough can be seen in the background of the photograph.

Compiled by: Claire Breen

Updated by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Chris Corlett

Revised date of revised upload: 12 March 2020

References

Corlett, C. 2019 Archaeological Survey of Aghowle Church and Cross, Co. Wicklow. Unpublished National Monuments Survey Report carried out by Chris Corlett, October 2019.

Crawford, H.S. 1925 A sepulchral slab at Aghowle, Co. Wicklow. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 55, 66.

Graves, Rev. A.B. 1883-4 The Damhliag of Achadhabhall. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 16, 72-85.