Cross-slab in Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00264 Dimensions: An outline cross with circular centre inside a two line circular frame. Now in the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. Inscription: 'MALEC' or 'LECMA'. Evidence of discovery: Drawn by Petrie at Clonmacnoise in 1822. Condition: Frame damaged. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81- Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p LXVIII, no. 162 Lionard, Early Irish Grave-slabs, PRIA 60(1959-60), p 116, Fig 12, 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

Date likely to the 9th–10th century AD, associated with early Christian Ireland. The inscription may be a personal name or abbreviation, and the cross-slab would have originally marked a burial or had a liturgical function in the monastic settlement of Clonmacnoise.