What is recorded here

Ronain stands recorded on a broken cross at Clonmacnoise, the bottom terminal lost to time while the ring still binds the arms around a square centre. Petrie found the slab in 1872, but Ronain may have waited decades for someone to read the name across its upper arm. The missing base suggests violence, neglect or reuse; the surviving ring suggests someone wanted the cross complete enough to remember.

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00157 Dimensions: H 0.946, W 0.88, T 0.10 A double outline ring cross with square centre. The ring links up the arms of the cross. Inscription: The inscription 'RONAIN' runs across the upper arm of the cross. Evidence of discovery: Petrie 1872 Condition: The stem terminal of the cross is missing. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-1030, 1031 Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p XXXVIII, no. 99 Lionard, Early Irish Grave-slabs, PRIA 60(1959-60), p 119, Fig 14, no. 14. 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

Date likely to the 8th to 10th century AD, consistent with early Christian inscribed crosses in Ireland. The cross and inscription may mark a grave or memorial, with "Ronain" possibly a personal name, reflecting early Irish Christian funerary practice.

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