Cross-slab in Lemanaghan

A monastery at Lemanaghan (Liath Manchán) was founded in the 7th century by Manchán whose feastday is celebrated on the 24th of January (Ó Riain 2011, 429). Unlocated early Christian cross-inscribed slab described by Crawford (1911, 152-3) as a ‘roughly rectangular slab of red-brown sandstone, 18 inches (0.45m) wide, 3 inches (0.07m) thick, and 15 inches (0.38m) above ground; bearing a ringed cross potent in relief. The cross is 14 inches (0.35m) over the arms, and the ring 7 inches (0.17m) in diameter. This stone may be somewhat later in date than the preceding, as it is squared and the carving is in relief. It is placed upright on a modern grave south of the chancel and about mid way between the church (OF015-004003-) and the boundary-wall’. See attached image of slab taken from Crawford 1911. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 25 April 2014

Likely dating to the early Christian period, the cross-slab may have been associated with the monastery of St Manchán and could have served a liturgical or commemorative function. Such slabs often carried Christian symbols and inscriptions linked to local saints or religious practices.