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 9 consists of a 'small, cross-shaped slab (H 0.42m; Wth 0.23m; T 0.09m) with stumpy arms, one of which is broken. It has an outline, wheeled, Latin cross incised on one face, with the arms extending out onto the arms of the slab. There is a tiny central hole. Four short curving lines indicate the inner edge of the ring at the angles'. (Manning 1998, 188). Immediately N of this slab there is a sandstone mullion (L 0.22m) of a twin light window with a glazing groove visible on both faces. The mullion has been set into a concrete base up against the E face of the W wall of the graveyard. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007

Dated to the early Christian period (6th–10th centuries AD), the cross-slab in Clonenagh likely served a funerary or commemorative function, reflecting the spread of Christianity in Ireland. Such slabs often featured symbolic Christian iconography and were associated with monastic or ecclesiastical sites.