What is recorded here

One chambered tomb still stands on the hill while the others vanished, suggesting people chose that spot for reasons now lost. The chamber is small enough to enter, narrow enough to force humility, and old enough to make human life feel brief. Its survival is not praise for modern attention; it is evidence that one act of building outlasted every promise around it.

Located towards the bottom of the S-facing slope of the Lough Crew Hills. It is built into the S face of a wall beside a field gate on the N side of the Kells to Loughcrew road. This is a complete limestone disc-headed cross (H 1.32m; Span 0.64m; T 0.3m) composed of two stones. All the edges are chamfered, but they stop 0.08m above the base. The stem (Wth at base 0.3m; H 0.82m) narrows as it rises, and the arms and top are smaller (Wth 0.22m; L 0.15m). There is a mortice (dims 0.1m x 0.1m; D 5cm) on top of the cross. The disc-head (diam. 0.42m) has hollows suggesting a ring, and a cross incised with double lines that has bar-terminals. The date 1594 and the name Mary Plunkett are inscribed in false relief beneath a crucifixion in relief, although the lettering is badly worn. Mary was a daughter of Edward Plunkett, who inherited the Lough Crew estate in 1588 and she is thought to have built the church at Drumsawry (ME009-042002-). (O’Reilly 1958, 51) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. See attached image. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 19 January 2015

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.