What is recorded here

Cross-slab in Moystown Demesne preserves a seventh-century wheel-cross from Teach Sáráin, where faint interlacing still hides inside worn lines. It left the old graveyard and entered High St. RC church, carrying Do bran across its top and side. The move changed its setting, but it still points back to Sárán, the Brosna rise and the buried life of Tisaran.

Early Christian monastery known as Teach Sáráin [Tisaran/House of Saran] founded by Sárán, son of Brógán of the Dál gCais of Thomond in the seventh century (Ó Riain 2011, 547-8; ITA Survey 1942). Situated on a natural rise on low-lying land with N bank of River Brosna 350m to SSE. Graveyard (OF022-004001-) contains 18th/19th-century headstones and is enclosed by a post-1700 stone wall. Early Christian cross-slab (OF022-004003-) recorded by Crawford (1913, 262-5) that was moved from Tisaran graveyard and is now located inside High St. RC church (OF014-052----) near Belmont village. Cross-slab described by Crawford as, 'A small slab incised with a double-line ringed cross. Immediately below the shaft is a small circle. The inscription or do bran runs across the top and down the sinister side' (Crawford 1913, 265). Recorded by Macalister as following; 'Slab, 2 feet 4 inches [0.71m] x 1 foot 1 inch [0.33m] x 0 foot 7 inches [0.17m], bearing a wheel-cross with a circle added to the lower terminal. Inscription on top and sinister side 'or do bran'. In the oval sinkings in the contours of the cross there appears to have been originally extremely fine patterns of interlacement, in minuteness recalling manuscript work. They are, however, too much weathered to be restored with any approach to certainty. The stone, which was lying in the old cemetery in this parish, has now been transferred safely to the modern church' (Macalister 1949, vol. 2, 78). Macalister, R. 1949, 78, Plate XLII drawing Incomplete Information See attached drawing of cross-slab taken from Macalister 1949, No. 869 The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2019

Probably dates to the Early Christian period (7th–9th century), associated with the monastery of Teach Sáráin. Likely used as a Christian cross slab for ritual or commemorative purposes, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the region.

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