What is recorded here

Durrow Demesne holds a sixth-century cross-slab from the monastery reputedly founded by Colum Cille. The sandstone block bears a faint ringed-cross with interlaced patterns, its shaft ending in a circular disc. It stood built into the graveyard wall before moving inside the conserved church, where it still faces the south like a quiet witness to the life that gathered around it.

National Monument No. 313. A sixth century monastery was founded at Durrow reputedly by Colum Cille [of the church] who died in 597 and whose feastday is celebrated on the 9th of June (Ó Riain 2011, 213-14). Early Christian cross-inscribed slab (H 1.27m; Wth 0.57m; T 0.09m) that was built up against the E face of the W wall of Durrow graveyard (OF009-005009-). This cross-slab has been moved into the C of I church (OF009-005013-) where it has been mounted on the S wall of the church. The church has been recently conserved by the OPW and now houses the Durrow high cross (OF009-005010-) and some of the cross-slabs (OF009-005015-/020-) that were located in the surrounding graveyard (OF009-005009-). Sandstone rectangular-shaped slab with faintly incised ringed-cross with rectangular expansions at the ends of three arms containing decorative motifs. The incised shaft of the cross contains interlaced patterns. The base of the cross shaft tapers and forms a circular disc-shaped terminal. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 April 2014

This cross-slab likely dates to the early Christian period, possibly 7th to 9th century, and may have been associated with the monastery founded by St. Colum Cille. It may have served a liturgical or commemorative function, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the region.

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