Cross-slab in Church Island (iveragh By., Loughcurrane Ed)

Reputed to have originally marked the grave of St Finan, this cross-inscribed stone now roofs a nineteenth-century O'Connell tomb which abuts the external wall of the nave at S. It is a sandstone slab of regular shape and is 2.14m long and .56m and .06m in average width and thickness, respectively. Its upper surface is smoothly dressed and bears a Latin cross rising from a double-outline square base that contains four crosslets in relief. The ringed cross-head has recessed angles, and is surmounted by a peltaform. On the upper portion of the slab the cross occurs in low relief, and below this there is evidence of unfinished methodical pocking. See attached photograph courtesy of Amanda Clarke The above description is derived from O'Sullivan, A. and Sheehan, J. (compilers) 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University press. (1996), no. 974. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 18 June 2013

This cross-slab is likely of early medieval origin, associated with Christian burial or commemorative practices. It may have originally served as a high cross or gravestone linked to the veneration of St Finan, reflecting early Irish monastic traditions.