Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Listed as Slab B by Robert Cochrane for the OPW in 1911-2 and described as follows; '(B) This is a larger slab, drawn to a smaller scale, of irregular shape, which has, unfortunately, been exposed to the weather for so long that a large portion of the surface has called away; the ornament and inscription are somewhat uncertain. It can only be said that the device is a three-line cross with circular centre and semi-circular ends containing frets. It is not clear whether there were loops at the corners, probably not. The inscription began in the standard manner with the letters OR. (Size of stone, 35” [0.88m] x 24” [0.6m] )' (Anon. 1913, 45-6).
Catalogued by Crawford in 1913 as slab (e) and described as a ‘A slab 2 ft. 10 in. [0.86m] by 2 ft. 2 in. [0.65m], much worn, but showing traces of a three-line cross with semicircular ends containing frets, and of an inscription’ (Crawford 1913, 329). Cross-reference with GA084-151034- as the slab has now been moved to the OPW Depot in Athenry, Co. Galway.

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

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 23 April 2021

References

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.

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.