What is recorded here
A small rounded boulder in a children's burial ground at Cashel, County Galway, bears a lightly incised Latin cross whose shaft widens below the arms before ending in a point. The stone stands inside an old enclosure, marking little lives with a simple religious symbol rather than a name. Whoever cut it may have believed that even the youngest needed a visible sign of grace at the edge of the world.
This cross-inscribed stone is located within a children’s burial ground (GA051-002001-) that lies in the interior of an enclosure (GA051-002----). It was recorded by Higgins (1987, ii, 274, no. 5) who described it as a naturally rounded boulder (H 0.36m; Wth 0.23m; T 0.08m) with a lightly incised Latin cross on its E face. The shaft of the cross bifurcates and widens below the arms, and then narrows and ends in point.
Compiled by: Olive Alcock
Date of upload: 25 May 2018
This cross-inscribed stone, located within a children’s burial ground, likely dates to the early Christian period in Ireland, associated with Christian symbolism and possibly used as a marker or memorial. The presence of a cross suggests a funerary or devotional function, reflecting the spiritual practices of the community.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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