Cross-slab in Clonenagh

In an elevated area. In 1988 ten early Christian cross-slabs, rectangular in shape were uncovered during the digging of a pathway through the graveyard (LA017-003007-) at Clonenagh. Three are in false relief, the remainder are simple incised crosses. These cross-slabs have been attached to the inner E face of the graveyard wall in the W quadrant of the graveyard. The slabs have been numbered one to thirteen by Manning in his article entitled 'Cross-Slabs from Clonenagh, Co. Laois' (1998, 185-192). The slabs are upright just inside the gateway to the graveyard. This area has been used as a dumping place for cut grass and other debris that has resulted in the base of the slabs being covered in soil and vegetation. Slab 7 consists of a 'slab (H 0.7m, Wth 0.3m, T 0.065m) decorated with a 'Latin cross with rectangular expansions at the terminals and another rectangle on the stem, all carved in false relief. The area dressed back to create the false relief forms a plain Latin cross framing the main cross' (Manning 1998, 188). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Dateable to the early Christian period (7th–9th centuries AD), the cross-slab likely served a funerary or commemorative function, reflecting the spread of Christianity in the region. The carved crosses may indicate local monastic or ecclesiastical activity associated with the nearby Clonenagh monastery founded by St Canice.