Cross-slab

The National Monuments Service's description

Early Christian cross-inscribed slab (dims. Dims. H 0.82m, Wth 0.59m, T 0.13m) discovered in 1978, and one of four cross-slabs (WM029-042044-;045-;047-) found in the graveyard (WM029-042092-) of the Franciscan friary (WM029-042001-) (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 7-8). Now on display in Athlone Castle Museum (WM029-042043-). The cross-slab contains an inscription to Ailill Ua Dunchatho, King of Connacht who died in 764 AD (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 7). Roughly rectangular sandstone slab missing a small section of one corner. The decoration consists of an almost equal-armed ringed cross within a rectangular frame. The centre of the cross consists of a square enclosing a circle; the terminals are also square and bear foliage decoration. The arms of the cross have a fret pattern of interlocking T type while the frame consists of a broad band of continuous fret pattern of the interlocking L type. Incised inscription above the panel: AILILL AUE DUNCHATHO (Bradley et. al. 1985, 45-6).

Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 31 October 2013

References

Fanning, T. and Ó hÉailidhe, P. 1980 Some cross-inscribed slabs from the Irish Midlands. In H. Murtagh (ed.), Irish Midland studies: essays in commemoration of N.W. English, 5-23. Athlone. Old Athlone Society.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.