What is recorded here

In 1971, the slab left Teach Molaise on Inishmurray for the National Museum of Ireland, pulling Muredach O Chomocain's name from Atlantic rain into a guarded room. It is a rare early voice because Latin and Irish share one dying breath: pray for him, he sleeps here. The small stone still points back to an unknown townland where a human life ended, was remembered, and waited for others to repeat his name.

This record refers to the present location of a cross-slab which was first recorded by Wakeman (1893, 88–9, fig. 43) in Teach Molaise (SL001-001005-) on Inishmurray Island, Co. Sligo. It was removed to the National Museum of Ireland in 1971 (Register No. 1971: 1116). Its original location is recorded under the number: SL001-001046-. Stone slab (H: 0.429 m, W: 0.213 m, Th: 0.028 m) one face of which is filled with an inscription preceded by a simple incised cross and transcribed as: +OR DO MUREDACH HÚ CHOMOCÁIN HIC DORMIT Translation ‘Pray for Muredach Ó Chomocáin, he sleeps here’ It is a rare example of an early inscription combining Latin and Irish in a single dedication. 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

This cross-slab, originally from Inishmurray Island, dates likely to the early medieval period (7th–10th century AD) and represents a Christian monument, possibly associated with an early monastic site. It may have served as a gravestone or commemorative marker, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the region.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.