Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Listed by Robert Cochrane for the OPW in 1912 as slab D and described as follows; ‘The slabs (C) [WM015-001009-] and (D) are similar to each other, differing only in details. Each shows a three-lined looped cross with enlarged centre and ends. The centre of the slab (C) is occupied by a curved swastika or tetraskelion, the arms of which turn sunwise. The centre of the slab (D) is uncarved. The loops at the corners of both stones turn in the same direction as the swastika. In most crosses with loops the latter are symmetrical, and do not follow in one direction as here. All the expanded ends contain frets. In this they follow the Clonmacnois patterns. In slab (C) the top and dexter arm show one pattern and the base and sinister arm another, while in (D) all are alike. There are no inscriptions. The slab (C) is especially interesting, as it exhibits the only example of a central swastika known outside Clonmacnois. (Size of slab C, 22” [0.55m] x 19” [0.48m] ; size of Slab D, 21” [0.53m] x 21” [0.53m])’ (Anon. 1913, 46).
Catalogued by Crawford in 1913 as slab (d) and described as a ‘slab 1 ft. 9 in. [0.53m] by 1 ft. 8 in. [0.5m], similar to the last (WM015-001009-), except that the centre is blank, and all the extremities are looped’(Crawford 1913, 329). Cross-reference with GA084-151033- as the slab has now been moved to the OPW Depot in Athenry, Co. Galway.

See attached 1912 OPW drawing of cross-slab D (Anon. 1913, 47).

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 23 April 2021

References

Anon. 1913 Eighty-First Annual Report of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland with appendices for the year ending 31st March 1913. London. HMSO.

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.