What is recorded here

Green sandstone still holds the outstretched arm of Christ, cut no later than the mid-12th century before burying beneath Ballynoe’s chancel. The cross gave up its head rather than disappear whole, leaving a robed figure half-erased by time and soil. It traveled from that hidden church floor into the National Museum, carrying the patience of Cork stone into a room where people can finally see what endurance looks like.

A fragment of the head of a small stone cross was found within the chancel of Ballynoe church (CO046-033002-) during the course of an archaeological excavation in 1995 (Cotter 1996, 6). The excavation was part of a programme of phased conservation work undertaken by Cork County Council (see Cotter 1997, 10; 2000a, 21; 2002c, 105-34). The following description is based on Cronin (2002, 124-6). The cross fragment (H 0.22m; Wth 0.165m; T 0.11m) is of green sandstone and is unringed with rounded angles. One face, which has a plain flat moulding (Wth 0.02m), bears a human figure, presumably a representation of Christ. Though much weathered, part of the head, an outstretched arm and part of the torso are discernible. The end of what appears to be a sleeve is visible on the arm suggesting that the figure is robed. The reverse face of the fragment is undecorated apart from a simple chamfer on its outer edge. On stylistic grounds, the cross fragment is dated no later than the mid-12th century (Cotter 2002c, 121). The fragment is currently in the NMI (pers. comm. Eamon Cotter). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009

A fragment of a small stone cross was found in the chancel of Ballynoe church during an archaeological excavation in 1995; its exact builder is unknown, but it is likely medieval in date and may have been associated with the church's early Christian or monastic activity.

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