Cross-inscribed stone in Cloontuskert

The early church that became an Augustinian abbey (RO037-001001-) is situated on low-lying ground at the S end of graveyard (RO037-001002-). At least eighteen stones with inscribed crosses have been recorded up to 2008, but some of these are missing. Five have been recorded by Fanning and O'hEailidhe (1980, 10, 13-15), one of which is now missing. Two others were recorded by Siggins (1988, 56-7) and six other simpler cross-inscribed stones were described by Herity (et al. 1997, 116-7). Other stones have since come to light, and most of the displayed stones are set in the walls of a rectangular enclosure with an altar at the W edge of the graveyard. In all six cross-slabs and eleven other cross-inscribed stones have been recorded in this display. There are also numerous architectural fragments (RO037-001017-) from a high medieval church on display here and in the church ruin as well as decorative pieces from an earlier structure. Most of the decorated stones were recovered from the graveyard in a clean-up c. 1990, at which time others were displayed around a style in the graveyard wall at N. These have been identified recently by Gary Dempsey, and amongst the dressed stones he has recorded are portions of four cross-slabs and five cross-inscribed stones. This is a sandstone set out from the wall of the altar enclosure at the W edge of the graveyard (RO037-001002-) It has a simple cross incised on one face (H 0.22m; Wth 0.12m) and is tapering towards the base (max. Wth 0.59m; max. H 0.49m; T 0.12m). (Hertiy et al. 1997, 116, 023, Cloontuskert 04) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revised upload: 9 July, 2015

This cross-inscribed stone likely dates to the early medieval period, associated with the Christianization of the area and the establishment of the early church that later became an Augustinian abbey. Such stones often served as markers, memorials, or waypoints along pilgrimage routes.