Cross-inscribed stone in Dunleer

A greywacke stone of irregular shape (0.77m by 0.37m) decorated with two cross heads carved in relief. One is a simple crudely executed ringed cross with slightly expanding terminals which extend just beyond the circle. The other is a Maltese-type cross which is ringed and poorly executed. A portion of a possible incised cross can be seen at one extremity of the stone. (PRIA 61C, 102, figs 1, 3 and 17). One of three cross-inscribed stones situated in the porch of the nineteenth-century Protestant church (see also LH018-064005- and LH018-064010-). The above description is derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 11 July 2012

Likely dating to the early Christian period (5th–10th century), the stone may have functioned as a memorial or waymarker. The ringed cross is a common Christian symbol, potentially associated with local saints or pilgrimage routes.