Cross-inscribed stone in Ardmoneel

This cross-inscribed boulder, not marked on the OS mips, is located in a marshy area close to a fordable point of the Laune river (Herity 1990, 214-15; Sheehan 1994b, 23-31). It measures .5m high, 1.03m long and .58m wide, and its longer axis lies NE-SW. Its flat upper surface features a design consisting of a triple-armed cross contained within a rectangular frame. Simple semicircular loops enclose the outer angles of the frame, while T-shaped motifs with inturned terminals occur midway along its ends. Variations of the latter motifs are also carved at the midpoints of its sides, but these are poorly preserved. The cross is of linear type and features three symmetrically disposed arms which terminate in simple expansions. The upper terminal of the shaft features a pronounced open loop which ends in a simple expansion. This motif represents the rho element of the chi-rho symbol. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 926. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 29 July 2013

This cross-inscribed stone likely dates to the early Christian period in Ireland, possibly between the 7th and 10th centuries. Such stones were often used as markers for religious or territorial significance, and may have been associated with local monastic activity or pilgrimage routes.