Discover Alone, back to main map

Cross-slab in Clonmacnoise

Cross-slab

What is recorded here

Half a metre of worn stone, the Cross-slab in Clonmacnoise carries interlocking outline crosses inside a single line frame, with the name TIRUCIST faint beneath them. Petrie drew it in 1822, lost it, and the OPW found it again in the 1950s; his drawing failed the pattern, but the stone still exists to correct him. The left side has broken down, the upper design is gone, and the letters have rubbed shallow, yet the crosses remain clear enough to stop a hand moving across them.
Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00041 Dimensions: H 0.45, W 0.425, T 0.015 Petrie's drawing of this slab is totally inaccurate. A series of interlocking outline crosses inside a single line frame. The pattern has completely broken down on the left side of the slab. The inscription is in a panel beneath the frame. Inscription: 'TIRUCIST'. The inscription is very worn. Evidence of discovery: Petrie 1822. Later lost but found again by the OPW 1954-58 Condition: Upper part of the design has been lost. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-374, 813 Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p LXV, no. 156 Lionard, Early Irish Grave-slabs, PRIA 60(1959-60), p 105, Fig 5, no. 8. The Clonmacnoise inventory was compiled by the Office of Public Works. A copy of the record for this slab is available for inspection in the relevant Archaeological Survey of Ireland (SMR) file. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011
Probably dates to the early medieval period (7th–10th century AD), reflecting Christian symbolism associated with monastic sites like Clonmacnoise. The interlocking crosses may signify liturgical or commemorative use, possibly linked to local saints or religious figures.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places