Cross

Within a children’s burial ground (GA111-003001-). This cross-inscribed limestone pillar stone is broken in two pieces. The lower undecorated part (H 1.07m), which dominates the site, remains in situ and is aligned NE-SW. The broken upper part (H 0.8m; Wth at top 0.29m; Wth at base 0.23m; T 0.22m) is immediately to its NE. The latter piece is aligned NNW-SSE and inclined to the SE, leaning against the lower portion of the pillar. It bears a single-line grooved Latin cross on its E face. The cross has splaying terminals at the top of the shaft and on the arms, and the shaft rises from a rectangular base (Higgins 1987, vol. 2, 284, no. 15). Two other cross-slabs (GA111-003003- and GA111-003007-) have been placed at this pillar stone. Crawford (1913, 155 (f)) matched the cross-inscribed section of the pillar with a cross-slab recorded by O’Donovan in 1839 (O’Flanagan 1927, Vol. 3, 367 and facing p. 198) but Higgins (ibid., vol. 2, 297, no. 26) does not agree with this conclusion and believes the latter cross-slab (see GA111-002016-) is unlocated. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 26 April 2016

This cross-inscribed limestone pillar, likely dating to the early Christian period (5th–9th century AD), may have served as a memorial or marker within a children’s burial ground. Such crosses often carried religious or protective significance, possibly reflecting Christian funerary practices in the region.