Graveslab in Callan South

A tapering slab (L 1.59m; Wth at top 0.5m; Wth at base 0.38m; T min. 0.09m) lying prostrate in the N aisle of the nave of St Mary’s church (KK026-010012-), Callan. It is decorated in raised relief with a seven-armed ringed cross. The cross-head is very worn and spalled, particularly the upper sinister quadrant. The cross terminals are either trefoils or very simple fleur-de-lys. There is a single barred-knop beneath the cross-head and the cross-shaft terminates with a trefoil or very simple fleur-de-lys. The side of the slab is chamfered (Wth 0.03m) around the upper edge. There is no visible inscription. The slab is broken into two pieces horizontally near the base of the cross-shaft. Both the top sinister corner and to a less extent the top dexter corner and the bottom dexter corner of the slab have been broken off. There is also some damage to the edge of the slab, particularly along the middle of the dexter side. Stylistically this graveslab dates to the 13th/14th century. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 2 October 2019

High cross slab; early Christian period (9th–10th century). The seven-armed ring is a distinctive motif associated with Insular art and indicates a significant ecclesiastical or ceremonial context.