Cross-slab in Athlone

Early Christian cross-slab (dims. H 0.76m; Wth 0.52m; T 0.08m) discovered in 1974, one of four cross-slabs (WM029-042043-;045-;047-) found in the graveyard (WM029-042092-) of the Franciscan friary (WM029-042001-) (Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 5-6). Now on display in Athlone Castle Museum (WM029-042044-). Damaged sandstone slab decorated with an incised three-line Latin cross with a central circular expansion, containing a tetraskelion, and semi-circular terminals ornamented with worn key patterns. The cross is outlined by a two-line border with knots at the external angles. Incised inscription flanking the stem reads: OR DO CONLOC DO CHADAL (Bradley et. al. 1985, 46; Fanning and Ó hÉailidhe 1980, 5-7). Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 October 2013

Early Christian cross-slab, likely 8th to 10th century in date, associated with a monastic or ecclesiastical site; such stones were used for Christian worship or as grave markers and often feature intricate interlaced or zoomorphic designs.