Cross-slab in Baile An Mhathamhnaigh

This cross-slab was discovered in a fence in or near the village of Ballinvownig (Windele 1848, 458-9) but its present whereabouts is not known. The elaborate cross design consists of a simple Greek cross, with scrolled terminals, which is enclosed within a double-lined circle which forms the centre of a more elaborate cross. The arms and head of the latter consist of pairs of horn-like or hooked grooves which extend outwards from the inner circle and which are surrounded by 2 C-curves, the innermost of which link up with the outer circle. The stem of the cross is formed by a single line from the inner circle with an upturned crescent-shaped terminal. The outer circle curls downwards here into a spiral motif and then continues to form a frame around the central stem and terminal (Du Noyer, Antiquarian Sketches, I, 52). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 821. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013