Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on rising ground with commanding views to the W, N and E. Ruins of medieval nave and chancel church (WM006-037----) stands in N quadrant of rectangular-shaped graveyard (WM006-037001-). Medieval church built on site of Early Christian monastery of Lecan-Midhe mentioned in 750 when the Annals of Ulster recorded the death of ‘Fursu, abbot of Lecan Midhe’ (AU, 215). According to O’Donovan the monastery was founded by St. Cruimín whose feastday was celebrated here on June 28th (AFM, 349). According to the Martyrology of Tallaght a second feastday to St. Cruimín (Croimín) fell on the 29th of December (Ó Riain 2011, 237). Early Christian sandstone cross-slab (L 1.15m; Wth 0.45m; T 0.1m) reused as lintel over doorway in S wall of church (WM006-037----) (Swan 1988, 9). Sandstone slab containing an incised double-lined cross with circular centre and semi-circular or D-shaped terminals contained within an incised double-lined rectangular-shaped frame. The edge of the cross-slab has been broken off and part of the arm of the cross along with the incised frame is now missing.

See attached drawing of cross-slab by Kevin O'Brien, OPW taken from SMR File.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of revised upload: 5 August 2015

References

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

Swan, D. L. 1988 Early Christian ecclesiastical sites. In J. Bradley (ed.), Settlement and society in medieval Ireland: studies presented to F.X. Martin OSA, 1-31. Kilkenny. Boethius Press.

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)

AU (1983) - The Annals of Ulster to 1311, ed. S. Mac Airt and G. Mac Niocaill (Dublin 1983)