What is recorded here

An imperfect ring of limestone marks Noughaval, its uneven segments and small rounded armpits defying neat geometry. The cross stands within a graveyard beside a medieval church and chapel, probably dating to the 12th or early 13th century. Its western face holds faint circular traces that may have borne interlace decoration, while the eastern face remains blank. The shaft rises from a raised slab, suggesting the stone still serves the dead and the living memory of the place.

Within a graveyard (CL009-059024-) to the S of a medieval church (CL009-059023-) and to the W of a chapel (CL009-059027-). Noted by Westropp (1909, 25) a ‘curious Celtic cross’. Harbison (1992, vol. 1, 158) describes it as a ringed limestone cross (H above ground 1.18m; arm Wth 0.67m; T 0.1m) with traces of roll mouldings at the edges. The ring segments do not form a perfect circle and the armpits are small and rounded. Traces of a circular decoration at the centre of the head on the W face may have borne interlace decoration. There is another set of circles beneath it. The E face appears to be undecorated. The shaft of the cross is set in a hole in a raised slab of limestone, which forms the top of a leacht (CL009-059120-). The cross probably dates to the 12th or early 13th century (ibid.). (Large 2011) The following image has been uploaded: CL009-059028-_01.jpg W face of cross Compiled by: Olive Alcock and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 30 March 2022

The cross in Noughaval was likely erected in the early medieval period, associated with the nearby church and chapel, and exhibits a Celtic style. It is significant as a rare surviving example of early Christian sculpture in the Burren region.

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