Cross-slab in Athlone

Early Christian cross-inscribed slab (dims. Dims. H 0.82m, Wth 0.59m, T 0.13m) discovered in 1978, and one of four cross-slabs (WM029-042044-;045-;047-) found in the graveyard (WM029-042092-) of the Franciscan friary (WM029-042001-) (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 7-8). Now on display in Athlone Castle Museum (WM029-042043-). The cross-slab contains an inscription to Ailill Ua Dunchatho, King of Connacht who died in 764 AD (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 7). Roughly rectangular sandstone slab missing a small section of one corner. The decoration consists of an almost equal-armed ringed cross within a rectangular frame. The centre of the cross consists of a square enclosing a circle; the terminals are also square and bear foliage decoration. The arms of the cross have a fret pattern of interlocking T type while the frame consists of a broad band of continuous fret pattern of the interlocking L type. Incised inscription above the panel: AILILL AUE DUNCHATHO (Bradley et. al. 1985, 45-6). Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 October 2013

Early Christian cross-slab, likely dating to the 8th to 10th century, used as a memorial or liturgical object; its carved cross reflects the spread of Christianity in Ireland and may have had both spiritual and communal significance.