What is recorded here

A 12th-century cross-slab once marked the south wall of St. Caimin's church on Inis Cealtra, bearing the inverted name Ordomael Patraic. Now kept in Athenry, its deep cut lines still hold the shape of a prayer spoken across centuries.

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, 158, no. 63, and plate XIX) was on the S wall of St. Caimin's church (CL029-009011-), on Inis Cealtra (Holy Island), Co. Clare. It was exhibited in Mountshannon in August 1982 and was then placed for safe keeping in the OPW depot in Athenry, Co. Galway where it has SMR number (GA084-151009-). The slab (H 0.96m; Wth 0.38m; T 0.06m) is irregular in shape and well-preserved. The face is dressed and deeply incised with an outline Latin cross hollowed at the angles and resting on a trapezoidal base. An inscription in two lines is incised above the cross and inverted and it reads ‘ORDOMAEL PATRAIC’ (with the OR overlined). It was dated by Macalister (ibid.) to the 12th century. (Okasha and Forsyth 2001, 83-5) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 22 July 2015

Probably dating to the early medieval period (7th–10th century), the cross-slab likely had a Christian liturgical or commemorative function, associated with the ecclesiastical site of St. Caimin's church. Its carved cross may reflect insular Celtic artistic traditions and early Christian devotion.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.