Cross-slab in Sceilg Mhichíl

KE104A-001004- Cross-Inscribed Slab: This was described by Dunraven as standing near the oratory (1875, 34). Now broken, its lower portion lay recumbent midway between the oratory and the leacht prior to being taken into OPW care. It measures 0.68m x 0.43m x 0.15m thick, and features the lower section of an outline ringed Latin cross with a wide open-ended shaft. This slab has been identified as Valentia slate (information: G. Rourke). This cross-slab has been allocated the SMR number KE066-214---- at its present location in the OPW Depot (Horn et al. 1990, 44-5, 80-81). See attached reconstruction drawing by Grellan D. Rourke and plan of south terrace taken from O'Sullivan and Sheehan 1996, 282. See attached figures 36 and 58 taken from Horn, W., White Marshall, J. and Rourke, G. 1990 The forgotten hermitage of Skellig Michael. The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 948. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 28 February 2022

Dateable to the early Christian period (6th–9th centuries AD), the cross-slab likely served a liturgical or commemorative function, possibly marking a sacred space or the resting place of an individual. Its location near the oratory suggests a connection to monastic or religious activity on Sceilg Mhichíl.