What is recorded here

The complete cross-slab stands eight-tenths of a metre tall in Clonmacnoise, bearing the name Ordo Mael Mhichil beneath a triple-arm spiral. Petrie saw it in 1822, but the fretted stone has watched the Boyne valley since before memory began. Ordo Mael Mhichil may have been a teacher, a warrior, or a child lost too young; the carve remains sharp enough to cut doubt.

Clonmacnoise grave-slab inventory (1992) number: CLN00327 Dimensions: H 0.83, W 0.525, T 0.115 Outline expansional cross with median line, semicircular termianl expansions with fret patterns and centre with triple arm spiral. Inscription: 'ORDO MAEL MHICHIL' Evidence of discovery: Petrie 1822. Condition: Complete. National Monuments Service, Photo number: 81-202, 208 Stokes, M. (1878) Christian Inscriptions in the Irish language, Vol 1, p LXVI, no. 158 Lionard, Early Irish Grave-slabs, PRIA 60(1959-60), p 134, Fig 25, no. 15. 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 9th to 11th century AD, consistent with high crosses of the early medieval period in Ireland. The cross-slab may have had a liturgical or commemorative function, reflecting Christian symbolism and artistic traditions of the time.

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