Cross-slab in Babeswood

This slab was discovered by chance in 2001 in a field in Babeswood. The slab is broken and its extremity mesures are 0.13 H, 0.26m W and 0.045m T. Each of the four sides is broken but the cross-design is almost complete. The cross is set inside a rame which formed by a double incised margin: only parts of two sides of the frame remains. The cross is similarly formed with double incesed lines and comprises the remains of an equal-armed Maltese cross with rounded armpits. Within each remaining terminal are set three dots and outside the cross, within each armpit, is a further dot. At the centre of the cross is the remains of an inscription comprising four or five letters. These are incised in one horizontal line and the following has been read: da[ic.]. The reading of the letters within the square brackets is uncertain and the dot indicates a possible remnant of a fith letter. The letters are likely to represent a person's name. This slab is on display in the County Museum, Dundalk (see LH007-189----). (Okasha 2005) Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 14 November 2012

Likely dating to the early medieval period, the cross-slab may have served a Christian memorial or waymark function. Its design suggests a connection to ecclesiastical tradition, though local folklore or specific dedications are not recorded.