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Gallaunkieran

Cross-slab

What is recorded here

Gallaunkieran is a cross-slab standing beside Toberkieran in County Cork, Ireland. The flat-topped stone is 1.26m high and 1.95m around at the base, with a relief cross on top and worn Latin crosses cut into its faces. People still visit it on St. Kieran's Day, 4th March, keeping the stone alive in local memory.
Flat topped standing stone (H 1.26m; basal circ. 1.95m). Indicated on OS 6-inch map (1842, 1902) a short distance SW of, and now stands adjacent to Toberkieran (CO153-018002-). On top is cross-like carving in relief (L 0.32m; Wth 0.26m). On NE face incised Latin cross (H 0.6m; Wth 0.25m), with expanded shaft terminals. On SW face, very worn Latin cross (H 0.5m; Wth 0.2m) with expanded terminals. Slight trace of another incised cross on SE face; with indecipherable incised carving beneath. Stone still venerated; visited on St. Kieran's Day (4th March). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 1: West Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009
Probably dates to the early Christian period (5th–9th century AD), given the presence of a cross-like carving. Such stones may have served as memorials, territorial markers, or had religious significance in local Christian practice.

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

What survives
Recorded monument

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