What is recorded here

Inishkeel Island, Donegal: a graveyard on a small offshore island holds two medieval churches, a broken high cross and several cross slabs. The slab south of St Mary's is narrow, tall enough to mark a body, and carries a plain Latin cross beside four unfinished circles. Tide, wind and time have kept the place quiet, but the stones still arrange themselves like a room where people prayed, buried and remembered.

Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This cross-slab (DG064-003005-) is located immediately S of St. Mary's Church. It is 1.8m × 0.27m to .56m × 0.06m. It is decorated by a simple Latin cross, with bar terminals to three arms, quartering four incomplete concentric circles. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

This cross-slab is likely from the early medieval period, associated with the ecclesiastical sites of St Mary’s and St. Connell’s. Such slabs often served as grave markers or commemorative monuments, reflecting Christian symbolism and local artistic traditions.

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