Cross-slab in Gortacurraun

This cross-slab lies at the E side of a low rectangular mound of uncertain origin. The mound measures 18m N-S x 9m E-W and incorporates a subcircular arrangement of upright stones which measures 2.5m E-W x 1.85m N-S and which is open to E. The stones range from .8 to .47m in height and the interior of the feature is now filled in with field clearance stones. The cross-slab measures 1.5m in length x .4m in width x .12m in thickness. The upper third of one face is occupied by an equal-armed cross within a circle. Each arm of the cross terminates in a H-motif, that is a T-bar terminal with T-bars at each extremity. Crawford (1912, 234) erroneously recorded a cross on the other face of the stone but the cross he described is that at Kilduff graveyard (KE045-009002-). The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 842. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013

Probably dating to the early Christian period (5th–10th century AD), the cross-slab may have marked a burial site or served a commemorative function, while the associated stone arrangement could indicate a cist or ritual focus. Local folklore sometimes associates such stones with holy persons or protective symbols against supernatural forces.