Cross-slab in Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00058 Dimensions: H 0.549, W 0.29, T 0.025 Outline cross with stepped centre inside a two line frame, the inner line of which is made up by the arm of the cross. Inscription: Petrie recorded it as 'ALAR'. The inscription is now lost. Evidence of discovery: Petrie 1822 Condition: Very worn and weathered. Top right corner broken. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-84, 440 Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p XXVIII, no. 73. The Clonmacnoise inventory was compiled by the Office of Public Works. A copy of the record for this slab is available for inspection in the relevant Archaeological Survey of Ireland (SMR) file. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

Date likely to the early medieval period, possibly 8th to 10th century AD, given the cross-slabs found in the Clonmacnoise area are typically associated with monastic sites of that era. The stepped centre and double-lined frame suggest a Christian funerary or commemorative function, common in early Irish monastic cemeteries.