Cross-slab in Inis Gé Thuaidh

At a house (MA023-014007-) on top of Bailey Mór mound (MA023-014003-). This cross-slab was found by Françoise Henry (1951, 65; Slab 2) set in the ground against the SE wall of the house. It is a roughly rectangular stone slab, incised on one face with a cross of arcs within what appears to have been intended as a double circle. The inner circle is intact but the outer ring is reduced now to an incised arc above the inner circle and a matching arc underlying the inner circle. Beneath this, is an elaborate design of four paired spirals, and beneath the latter, a horizontal incised line cuts across the slab, from the centre of which a short vertical line descends to the base of the stone. The other face of the slab bears a simple Latin cross. This cross-slab is now housed in the National Museum of Ireland. Attached image: MA023-014017-_01.JPG Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 12 July 2023

This cross-slab likely dates to the early Christian period in Ireland, associated with monastic or domestic religious practice. It may have served as a Christian symbol or memorial, reflecting the spiritual life of the local community.