Cross-slab in Inishcaltra OR Holy Island

Located against the S wall of the nave of St. Caimin’s church (CL029-009011-) and 8.56m from the E end, this slab (H 0.96m; Wth 0.48m; T 0.06m) previously lay in the chancel of the church (Okasha and Forsyth 2001, 56). Noted by Macalister (1916-17, 153, no. 30) as of ‘tenth-century type’. The slab is broken in two pieces and bears an incised Latin cross with squared expanded terminals and square expansions at the centre. There is a small dent on the lower part of the left terminal. An inscription is incised in one horizontal line above the head of the cross and upside down with respect to it. It reads ‘OR DO MURCHAD’. The cross and inscription occupy the whole of the dressed face with the terminals reaching the edges. (Okasha and Forsyth 2001, 56-8) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 6 October 2015

This cross-slab likely dates to the early medieval period, associated with Christian worship or commemoration. It may have functioned as a grave marker or liturgical object, reflecting the spiritual traditions of the local monastic or parish community.