Cross-slab in Clonmacnoise

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00289 Dimensions: H 0.505, W 0.375, T 0.042 Outline expansional cross with median line. The circular central expansion and looped semicircular terminals are blank. Inscription: Vertical inscription 'ORDO MAEL BRIGTE'. Evidence of discovery: Petrie 1822. Lost before 1872. Refound 1954-58. Condition: Badly flaked especially upper left corner. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-235 Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p XXXI, no. 81. 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, given the cross-slabs found in Clonmacnoise are typically associated with Christian monastic sites from the 7th to 11th centuries. The design may have had a liturgical or commemorative function, common in early Irish Christian grave markers.