Cross-slab (present location) in Baronstown Demesne

Kilbixy or Ceall Bhigsighe was founded by St Bigseach who was connected to St. Brigid of Kildare (Ó Riain 2011, 106). Early Christian cross-inscribed stone consisting of an incomplete sandstone slab (H 0.78m x Wth 0.45m x T 0.09m) decorated with an incised or pocked marked triple line cross with triangular-shaped terminals framing broad interlaced ribbons. The lower terminal of the cross is missing as this part of the slab is broken. Cross-inscribed slab found by local parishioner in Kilbixy graveyard (WM011-04005-) and now mounted onto the internal face of the S wall located off centre to E inside the C of I church at Kilbixy. This type of expansional cross with ribbon interlaced terminals may date from the 10th/11th century based on comparisons with comparable slabs bearing inscriptions (Lionard 1960-1, 131-6). To see a 3D model of the cross-slab visit https://skfb.ly/oF7Qp Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 22 June 2018

Early Christian period, likely 7th to 9th century; the cross-slab may have served a liturgical or commemorative function, possibly associated with the foundation of Kilbixy by St Bigseach.