Cross-slab in Unknown Townland

One of six cross-slabs (DU018-278-/283-) now located inside St Patrick’s Cathedral (DU018-020269-).  This tapering granite cross-slab (L 1.62m x Top Wth 0.6m; Base Wth 0.4m; x T 0.18m-0.27m) is now lying outside the N wall of the choir of St. Patrick's cathedral (DU018-020269-). Listed by Crawford (1913, 166) as stone 1d and described as; ‘A granite slab 5 ft. [1.5m] by 1 ft. 9 in. [0.53m] by 1 ft. [0.3m] thick. It bears two ringed crosses, one above the other; they are formed of marginal lines in relief. (It lies near C)’. Listed by Ó hÉailidhe  (1973) as slab A3 and described as follows; ‘It bears two Latin crosses in raised outline, one with a double raised ring, and the other with a single one. There is also a small raised ring in the centre of each cross. The slab is tapered, and was probably intended to lie in a recumbent position.   Slabs bearing ringed crosses with inscriptions which can be dated nearly all belong to the ninth century (Lionard 1961, 126-127)’.  The decoration on one side only bears 2 Latin crosses in raised outline, one above the other. The upper one has a double raised ring and the lower has a single raised ring. There is also a small raised ring in the centre of each cross. This slab was probably intended to lie in a recumbent position (Ó hÉailidhe 1973, 53-4; Swords 2009, No. 13, 79-80).  Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

This cross-slab likely dates to the early medieval period (7th–10th century) and was originally part of a Christian memorial or ecclesiastical monument. Its relocation to St Patrick’s Cathedral suggests historical connections to early monastic or church activity in the area.