What is recorded here

A small eighth-century cross-slab once stood inside St. Caimin's church on Inis Cealtra, its circular arcs and spiralling ends marking sacred space before the slab left the island. It may have watched prayers, weather and foottraffic for centuries, carrying the warmth of a living worshipper's world. The slab now rests in an OPW depot in Athenry, removed from the chancel wall but still holding the shape of that older devotion.

Not listed in the SMR (1992) or the 1996 RMP. This record is for the original location of a cross-slab that according to Macalister (1916-17, 151, no. 21, and plate XVI) was on the N wall of the chancel of St. Caimin's church (CL029-009011-), on Inis Cealtra (Holy Island), Co. Clare. It was noted by de Paor in the 1970s (SMR file) on the S wall of the nave of the church. It is now in the OPW depot in Athenry, Co. Galway where it has SMR number (GA084-151006-). Macalister (ibid.) described the slab as of 'Eighth-century type'... ‘A stone, measuring 1 foot 7 inches by 1 foot 1 inch by 3 inches [0.48m by 0.33m by 0.07m]. Within a circle of two lines, a cross formed of four arcs of circles, interlacing at the intersection; the ends of the arcs are terminated with a spiral treatment. In the cantons are triskeles of one line.’ Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 22 July 2015

Probably early medieval in date, associated with Christian worship or memorial practice. The cross-slab may have had a liturgical or commemorative function within the church setting.

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