Cross-inscribed stone (present location) in Kilteel Upper

An encircled (diam. 0.16m) cross-inscribed stone (dims. L 0.55m x 0.3m H) found during conservation work incorporated into the internal face of the S wall of the extended nave of Kilteel church (KD020-007002-) (Manning 1981-82, 191). Manning (ibid. 208-9) suggested that this cross-inscribed stone may have served as a consecration cross locate above the lintelled W doorway of the earliest stone church. See attached drawing of inner face of S wall of nave of church taken from Manning 1981-2 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 31 October 2019

Probably dating to the early medieval period (5th–10th century), this cross-inscribed stone may have originally served as a Christian memorial or waymarker. Its incorporation into church fabric suggests later reuse, though its original context and specific meaning remain unclear.