Cross-slab in Inishmurray

This record refers to the original location of a cross-slab, which was first recorded by Dunraven in 1866 (Petrie 1878, 15) in Teach Molaise (SL001-001005-). It was removed to the National Museum of Ireland in 1971, where it is recorded under the number: DU018-214---- Small pillar (H: 0.30 m, W: 0.12 m, Th: 0.08 m). Upper 80% of one face contains an incised shafted ringed cross rising from an oblong base (H: 0.238 m). All the arms seem to have extended beyond the ring but while the upper one terminates in a flat-butted serif, the terminals of the horizontal arms to not survive. On the other broad face is a now badly damaged inscription read by Macalister – broadly agreeing with Wakeman as: OROIT DO MURCHAD Translation: ‘Pray for Murchad’. The above description is derived from the results of a survey of the archaeological monuments on Inishmurray undertaken in 1997-1999 and published in: Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 20 February 2018

Probably dates to the early Christian period (6th–10th century AD). The cross-slab may have had a liturgical or commemorative function, possibly associated with a local monastic site or saint.