Cross-slab in Inishmurray

This record refers to the original location of a fragment of a cross-slab, which was removed from an unspecified location (probably the Cashel (SL001-001001-) to the National Museum of Ireland in 1971 (No. 1971: 1114). Its present location is recorded under the number: DU018-218----. Triangular slab fragment (H: 0.2 m, W: 0.192 m, Th: 0.052 m) with base of elaborate cross motif. Two parallel false relief ridges descend and converge just before terminating in a point 0.09 m below upper surface. 0.08 m below this point is the trough of a V-shaped motif, the arms of which ascend to each side of the point and evolve into two-turn mirrored spirals. The above description is derived from the results of a survey of the archaeological monuments on Inishmurray undertaken in 1997-1999 and published in: Jerry O’Sullivan and Tomás Ó Carragáin 2008 Inishmurrary. Monks and pilgrims in an Atlantic landscape. Volume 1: Archaeological Survey and Excavations 1997-2000. Cork. The Collins Press. Date of upload: 20 February 2018

Probably from the Early Christian period (6th–10th century), the cross-slab likely served a religious or commemorative function, reflecting the presence of monastic or ecclesiastical activity on Inishmurray. Such stones often bore Christian symbols and were associated with sites of worship or burial.