Cross

In Tawnagh graveyard (SL034-085002-), just inside the E boundary wall and 10.8m E of the gable of a ruined church (SL034-085001-). A Tau cross (H 0.51m) is set upright in a line of low uninscribed grave-markers and positioned directly between two 20th-century headstones. The shaft (H 0.36m) of the cross is 0.28m wide at the base but tapers to 0.21m at the junction with the arms. The arms (H 0.15m) of the cross have rounded ends which project 0.09m on either side of the shaft. The overall width of the upper portion of the cross, is 0.41m. On the E face of the cross, just below the junction of the arms and shaft, is incised a small plain Greek cross. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

A Tau cross, erected in the 9th to 10th century, is located in Tawnagh graveyard near a ruined church; its simple form and position suggest a Christian funerary or commemorative function, typical of early medieval Ireland.