Cross-inscribed pillar (present location) in Inishmurray

Originally at Relickoran, in the south-east corner of the main enclosure (SL001-004001-), close to the eroding cliff-edge. Removed to the Schoolhouse/OPW conservation store during excavations in 2000. Tall pillar (H: 1.04 m, W: 0.232>0.108 m, Th: 0.08 m) incised with shafted cross (0.70 m by 0.32 m) with cusped-butted terminals and a false relief boss at the crossing. The base fuses with a horizontal bar at the ends of which develops a vertical cross (0.22 m by 0.112 m) in each of the lower quadrants. These are similar to the main cross but their serifs are not as pronounced and they lack a central boss. 0.084 m above the main crossing the upper arm is traversed by a horizontal bar from each end of which develops a vertical cross similar in form but smaller than those in the lower quadrants. The above description is derived from the results of a programme of survey and excavation undertaken in 1997-2000 on Inishmurray and published in: Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 19 February 2018

Likely dating to the early Christian period (5th–9th centuries AD), the cross-inscribed pillar may have served a liturgical or commemorative function, reflecting the presence of monastic or religious activity on Inishmurray. The cross symbol suggests Christian association, possibly linked to the island's later role as a monastic site.