What is recorded here

Irish monastic stone carving at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, preserves a small cross-slab bearing the worn name fragment AONTHACH. The compact slab has an irregular edge and a two-line cross frame whose inner line continues into the cross arm, while the inscription above has softened under centuries of weather and handling. It is the kind of marker where a monastery buried someone ordinary and still proud enough to be named.

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00043 Dimensions: H 0.37, W 0.50, T 0.027 Outline cross in two line frame, the inner line of which is made up by the cross arm. Above the frame is carved a single line inscription. The edge of the slab is very irregular. Inscription: '…AONTHACH'. Evidence of discovery: OPW 1954-58 Condition: Both frame and inscription are very worn. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-57, 474, 803. 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, associated with Christian monastic activity at Clonmacnoise. The cross design may reflect liturgical or commemorative use, common in monastic cemeteries.

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