What is recorded here

No visible trace remains of the small cross-slab recorded at Kilmalkedar, though it once stood within the Early Christian and Medieval ecclesiastical complex overlooking Smerwick Harbour. Its lost face carried a circling cross, a smaller cross beneath, and the words DNE, perhaps an invitation for passersby to recognize divine authority in stone. That absence does not diminish the place; it redirects attention to the harbour, the hill, and the ancient purpose of the site.

National Monument No. 65. The Early Christian and Medieval ecclesiastical complex at Kilmalkedar (KE042-026----) lies at the foot of the W slopes of Reenconnell hill, overlooking Smerwick Harbour. The Reenconnell ridge peaks at 907 feet/276m to NE of the site and the area around Kilmalkedar is sheltered on its N and S sides by spurs of this hill. (4) Cross-slab (KE042-026004-) Fig. 185: Drawings of this slab have been published by both Romilly Allen (1892, 268) and Macalister (1949, 96). It was still at the site in 1965 when Rynne (NMI) noted that two freshly-broken fragments of it lay on a large tomb in the chancel of the church, but it is now missing. It measured .47m x .34m x .08m thick and one face was inscribed with a cross-in-circle, beneath which was a small cross with expanded terminals and the inscription DNE (for Domine). The cross within the circle also had slightly expanded terminals to the lower and side arms, and the upper arm terminated in a B-shaped motif. Cross-slab 912 (No. 1) described by Macalister (1949, 96) as; 'A fragment, 1' 6" X 1' 0" X 0' 4", bearing a circle containing a cross, the upper arm with a B-shaped terminal : a small cross : and the letters DN[I]' (Plate XLI). See attached drawing of cross-slab 1912 taken from Macalister 1949 The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 855. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 20 May 2022

Dateable to the Early Christian period, the cross-slab at Kilmalkedar likely served a liturgical or commemorative function within the monastery's sacred landscape. Its carved decoration may reflect Christian symbolism, possibly linked to local saints or early monastic traditions.

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