What is recorded here

A small cross-inscribed stone stands beside the ruined Ballywiheen Church, marking a grave beneath the eastern slopes of Croagh Marhin. Its shallow T-bar cross still faces the rising sun, waiting for hands that have forgotten the name of the dead person it honoured. The mountain watches the stone, and the stone watches the valley, keeping a promise older than memory.

Ballywiheen Church/Teampall Bhaile Bhoithín: The remains of a simple rectangular church (KE042-103001-) are situated in a graveyard (KE042-103002-) near the foot of the E slopes of Croagh Marhin. Cross-inscribed Stones (KE042-103004-/011-): (4) A stone marking the E end of a grave-mound about 10m SE of the SW angle of the church. It is 0.37m high, 0.22m wide and 0.13m thick. Its E face bears a simple cross with T-bar terminals. See attached photograph courtesy of Laurence Dunne See attached line drawing of cross-slab taken from Cuppage 1986 The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 981. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 11 July 2022

This cross-inscribed stone likely dates to the early medieval period, associated with Christian worship or burial practices. Such stones often served as markers for holy sites, memorials, or as symbols of Christian identity in a prehistoric or early historic landscape.

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