What is recorded here

Half-buried in the grass of Clonmacnoise, the broken cross still stands with one arm snapped off and a ring scarred by time. Its angles are hollow, its surface rough, but the shape of the cross remains clear enough to read at a glance. The stones around it have worn smooth, yet this one keeps its edge, as if it refused to disappear completely.

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00179 Dimensions: H 0.375, W 0.545, T 0.06 Outline ring cross with hollow angles. A very rough slab. Signs of carving are still visible. No inscription. Evidence of discovery: OPW 1954-58 Condition: Worn. Ring damaged, upper cross arm broken off. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-32, 285, 628. 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

Dated to the early medieval period, likely 8th to 10th century AD, the cross-slab reflects the Christian tradition of Clonmacnoise, a major monastic site. Such slabs were often used as grave markers or commemorative monuments, featuring symbolic Christian iconography.

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