What is recorded here

Half-buried in Gallen since before the priory rose, the cross-slab still wears its ringed cross and tiny circled marks like a prayer remembered rather than invented. Someone cut ADRAIM into the stone, perhaps admitting that even a crude knife must bend before what the circles point to. The failed saw-cut at its base suggests it was once judged unnecessary, yet it survived every hand that tried to remove it.

Sandstone cross-slab (dims. 0.66m x 0.51m x 0.12m) which was unearthed during excavations of Gallen priory in 1935. Described by Macalister as a cross-slab which had a `triangular projection from the base of the slab, 6 ins. high, and 10 ins. broad, [which] is separated from the rest of the monument by a groove 3/4" across and 1/2 inch deep - apparently the trace of an abortive effort made to saw it off' (Macalister 1949, 74). The slab was decorated with a crudely executed cross. In three cantons there is a small circle containing a cross, in the fourth a combination of three circles in a trefoil. It is conceivable that these figures, which have all the appearance of graffiti additions to the original design, are intended to typify the Three Persons and their Union in the Holy Trinity: a curious anticipation, if so, of the myth of St Patrick and the Shamrock' (Macalister 1949, 74). This slab bears an inscription which reads ADRAIM that can be translated into 'I adore' (Macalister 1949, 74). East Wall, West Facing, North off-centre. Diagram Number 6 Inventory of Carved Stone ID 000007 Dimensions: Height 0.69m Width 0.52m Cross Slab. Roughly rectangular outline. The upper dexter corner projects upwards and outwards slightly and the dexter edge narrows inwards slightly towards the rounded lower corner, the lower edge curves downwards somewhat from dexter to sinister. The design consists of a ringed cross with hollow angles, the outline of the cross is defined by a deep double line incision. The ring consists of a double line incision in the lower dexter quadrant and a triple line in the dexter three quadrants. On either side of the shaft of the cross there are equal-armed crosses formed by arcs inside a circle. The circle on the dexter is composed of a double line incision, as are two of the inner arcs. The circle on the sinister side consists of a triple row of incisions. There are traces of an inscription running vertically down the stone on the sinister side of the cross. Description from Inventory of Carved Stone, National Monuments Service Archive. Kendrick, JRSAI 69 (1939) p. 13, fig. 5 (R1). Macalister, R.A.S. 1949, 74, Plate XXXVI drawing minor reference Listed by Macalister as no. 856 in his catalogue. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 17 August 2012

Likely dating to the early medieval period, this cross-slab may have been associated with the religious activity of Gallen Priory. Its design suggests a Christian symbolic function, possibly used as a grave marker or way marker.

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