What is recorded here

Half a metre of chipped stone, broken at the edges but still holding its ring cross and the letters OR DO, lies buried in the grass at Clonmacnoise. The cross has hollow angles instead of solid arms, as if someone cut out the middle to let light through the stone itself. Macalister found it in 1949, and it has waited patiently since then for anyone stubborn enough to look for it again.

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00232 Dimensions: H 0.535, W 0.42, T 0.035 An outline ring cross with hollow angles. Inscription: Around the cross 'OR DO'. Evidence of discovery: Macalister 1949. Condition: Fragment with left/upper arms and centre of cross. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-459, 273, 874 Lionard, Early Irish Grave-slabs, PRIA 60(1959-60), p 120, Fig 15, 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

Dated to the early Christian period, likely 7th to 10th century AD, the cross-slab reflects the spread of Christianity in Ireland and may have served as a grave marker or commemorative monument. The inscription "OR DO" is an early Irish phrase meaning "Pray for us," indicating a funerary or devotional function.

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