Cross-slab in Cloontuskert

An early ecclesiastical site, traditionally founded by St Faithlec. Situated on low-lying ground close to the River Shannon, at the S end of an oval graveyard (RO037-001002-) are the remains of a church (RO037-001001-) and several cross-inscribed slabs. At least seventeen stones with inscribed crosses have been recorded, but some of these are missing. Five have been recorded by Fanning and O'hEailidhe (1980, 10, 13-15), one of which is now missing. Two others were recorded by Siggins (1988, 56-7), and six other simpler cross-inscribed stones by Herity (et al. 1997, 116-7). Other stones have since come to light, and the displayed stones are set in the walls of an altar enclosure at the W edge of the graveyard. In all six cross-slabs and eleven other cross-inscribed stones have been recorded. There are also numerous architectural fragments (RO037-001017-) from a high medieval church on display as well as decorative pieces from an earlier structure. This is a fragment (H 0.34m plus) which had part of a Greek cross in a circle (Fanning and O'hEailidhe 1980, 15, No. 16), which is no longer present (Herity 1997, No. 032, Clontuskert 13). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November, 2014

Probably dating to the early medieval period, this cross-slab may have marked a Christian burial or served as a liturgical monument at a small monastic site associated with St Faithlec. Such stones often carried Christian symbols and may have had both religious and territorial significance.