What is recorded here

On High Island, a thin garnet mica-schist slab leans beside the ancient church, marking a grave reused from an older life. Its east face carries a cross trapped inside a double ring, the arms forking into oblique points like a knot tied in stone. The original slab has moved to safety at Athenry, leaving behind a replica that invites touch but cannot answer the questions buried beneath it.

In the N half of the graveyard (GA021-026026-) to the E of the church (GA021-026014-) on High Island. Recorded by Fisher (2014, 206, no. 13, Fig. 7.3), this tapering garnet mica-schist cross-slab (H 0.59m; Wth 0.32m; T 0.07m), which was probably reused, was found in situ forming the footstone of pseudo Grave 7. Only its E face was decorated. It bears an incised cross within a double ring. At the junctions with the outer ring the cross-arms fork as oblique terminals. A similar cross-slab (GA021-026043-) is visible on the grave immediately to the S. This cross-slab is now in the care of the OPW (Athenry depot, Co. Galway, see GA084-151016-). A replica has been placed on site. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 154, no. 23) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 19 November 2015

Probably dating to the early medieval period, this cross-slab may have served a Christian funerary or commemorative function, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the area. Its location within the graveyard suggests it could be associated with local saints or early church activity.

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