What is recorded here

Inishcaltra is a small island in County Clare where a tenth-century cross-slab still stands inside St. Caimin’s church. The stone is not a tall monument but a compact slab, rounded at the sides and pointed at the top, with a Latin cross, central spiral and semicircular end patterns carved on one face. Macalister compared its work to Clonmacnoise, suggesting a skilled hand may have travelled there or taught someone near the water. The island is tiny enough that the slab could have been made for this exact chamber, yet grand enough in design to carry a wider faith across distance.

Located against the S wall of the nave of St. Caimin’s church (CL029-009011-) and 1m from the E end. Noted by Macalister (1916-17, 152-3, no. 29) as of ‘tenth-century type’ and described as ‘a slab, measuring 3ft 9in (1.14m) by 2ft 6in (0.76m) bearing …a Latin cross with circular expansion at the centre, having a spiral pattern…in the middle of the circle… The terminal expansions are semicircular and contain key-patterns of common type.’ Macalister also notes that the cross is very similar to the Clonmacnoise type of this period and may have been produced by a Clonmacnoise artist. Apart from the flat decorated face, the slab is rough and unworked with an unusual shape, rounded at the sides and coming to a point at the top. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 6 October 2015

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