Ecclesiastical site in Athlone AND Bigmeadow

The discovery of four Early Christian cross-inscribed slabs (WM029-042043-/-44-/045-/047-) between 1845 and the 1970s in the graveyard (WM029-042092-) of the Franciscan abbey (WM029-042001-) suggests that the abbey church may have been built on the site of an Early Christian monastery. Three of these cross-slabs are now on display in Athlone Castle Museum while the fourth cross-slab (WM029-042047-) has been missing since the late 1800's (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 5-9). Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 October 2013

The four Early Christian cross-inscribed slabs found in the Franciscan abbey graveyard in Athlone and Bigmeadow were likely built between the 7th and 9th centuries, reflecting an Insular Christian style. Their presence suggests an earlier ecclesiastical site predating the abbey, indicating the area's long-standing religious significance.