What is recorded here

Break the surface at the SE end of High Island and a buried chamber appears, its floor paved with decorated cross-slabs rather than plain stone. The footstone is not a marker but a threshold, its western face carrying a double roundel and a kneeling figure holding a book, while the eastern face remains rough and unseen. The chamber belongs to Grave 3, and the slab was broken before being repaired and moved into OPW care at Athenry. A replica now occupies the hole, but the real stone still holds the shape of the person who stood above it.

In the SE end of the graveyard (GA021-026026-) on High Island. Recorded by Fisher (2014, 203-4, no. 7, Fig. 7.2), this is one of three decorated cross-slabs (see also GA021-026036- and GA021-026037-) associated with Grave 3. It is a limestone slab (H 0.89m; Wth 0.32m; T 0.09m), one of only two found on the island, the other being the cover stone (GA021-026037-) of this grave. It formed the footstone and was the only footstone that was just decorated on its W face. Most of the stone was concealed and it was broken in two pieces. The cross-head was carved in low relief and the lower armpits were notched. A border ran around the head and centrally located was a double roundel which enclosed a cross. On the shaft there was a framed incised figure that was probably a secondary feature. The figure stood in an orans position and each hand held a rectangular object, possibly a book. The E face of the slab was very roughly dressed and no decoration was evident. This cross-slab has been repaired and is now in the care of the OPW (Athenry depot, Co. Galway, see GA084-151014-). A replica has been placed on site. (White Marshall and Rourke 2000, 149-50, no. 16) Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 19 November 2015

Date likely to the early medieval period (6th–10th centuries AD), based on the cross-slab style. These slabs may have served as grave markers or memorials, reflecting Christian symbolism in a prehistoric or early historic burial context.

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