What is recorded here

Anmchaidh, Bishop of Cill-dara, died in AD 980, and his name still appears on the cross-slab now kept in the locked sacristy at Mullaghey. The stone traveled from the graveyard of Dulane church to that safe chamber, carrying a perfectly cut latin cross and the command to pray for its owner. It is not certain whether Anmchaidh is the bishop or another descendant of Niall Noígiallach, but the chamber holds the name either way.

A cross-slab which was found in the graveyard of Dulane church (ME011-037----) c. 1980 was moved to the locked sacristy of the Roman Catholic church of the Sacred Heart at Mullaghey, c. 1.25km to the SE, for safety. It is probably made from schist and was damaged at the top were it now comes to a rough point. The stone has a slight rebate at its left front edge. It has a perfectly executed latin cross (H 0.44m; span 0.3m) incised with double lines. It has expanded square terminals, a ring and hollow angles. There may be the beginning of a fret pattern at its base. Over the cross is the inscription: ÓR DO ANAM / CHAID – Pray for Anmchaid. Anmchaid is a name that occurs amongst the southern Uí Neill (pers. com. Con Manning, S Ó Riain). An Anmchaid or Anmchaidh occurs amongst the descendants of Niall Noígiallach (Niall of the Nine Hostages) within five generations (Ó Muraíle 2003, vol. 1, 381). However, that Amchaid would be too early to have had a cross-slab like this, which is probably ninth or tenth century in date. Closer in time is the Anmchaidh, Bishop of Cill-dara, who died in AD 980. (AFM). See the attached image Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revised upload: 29 June 2018

Likely dating to the early medieval period (7th–10th century), this cross-slab may have originally marked a Christian burial or served as a memorial. Such stones often carried religious or symbolic carvings, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the region.

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