Cross-slab in An Riasc

National Monument No. 519. Calluragh burial ground/An Cheallnúach: KE042-060001- is located about 1.25km E of the village of Ballyferriter on approximately the highest point in the townland with a good view to the N over Smerwick Harbour. (8) Cross-inscribed pillars and slabs: Stone H (KE042-060022-) was found reused as part of a ceallúnach grave within the oratory. It is a thin sandstone slab squared at the top and tapered along its length. The smooth-dressed face bears a recessed design consisting of a Maltese cross within a square frame. In the upper right-hand angle is a small stylised representation of a bird (probably a peacock), originally one of an opposed pair. L: .85m. W: .4m. T: .05m. This stone is now Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Co. Chiarraí (pers. comm. Isabel Bennett) where it has been assigned the monument number KE042-171----. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 874. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 9 August 2013

Date likely to the early Christian period, given its form as a cross-slab. Such stones were often associated with burial sites and may have had a commemorative or ritual function.