Cross-slab in Tullylease

In church (CO006-006006-), within an early ecclesiastical enclosure (CO006-006011-). Series of cross-slabs and slab fragments, mostly of Early Christian date. There are other cross-slabs in the surrounding graveyard (CO006-006008-, CO006-006009-). Descriptions given below are largely derived from publication by Henderson and Okasha (1992) and occasionally Leask (1938). (a) St Berichter's Stone. Formerly leaning against E wall of church (Reeves 1858, 272), now clamped onto E end of S wall of chancel, under protective canopy. Rectangular slab (H 0.95m; Wth 0.63m; T 0.07m) with two damaged corners. Incised with framed-shafted Greek cross, ornamented partly in relief, but mainly incised. Cross terminals and base of shaft have expanded U-shaped terminals with lobe-ended spirals at the angles. Entire cross decorated with a bold diagonal fret, with elements of key pattern, but with a small boss at centre of upper and lower arms of cross, and a larger boss in centre of cross surrounded by a wreath of interlace (Henderson and Okasha 1992, 16-17; Leask 1938, 106). At angles of cross, and placed well clear of armpit are four medallions filled with a central quadruple spiral surrounded by four triple spirals alternating with four straight-line spirals (ibid.); these much worn down by pilgrims rubbing stone. Stone has Latin inscription: X/PS / QUI CU[M] QUAE / HUNC T/IT/UL/U / L/E G/E RIT / ORAT PRO / BERECHTUINE (Christ. Whoever will (or might) have read this inscription, let him/her pray (or pray) for Berechtuine) (Henderson and Okasha 1992, no. 1, 1-2, 8-9). According to Harbison (1977, 61), this stone 'possibly the finest Early Christian decorated cross slab'; its decoration often compared with cross in the Lindisfarne Gospels (for discussion of this see Henderson and Okasha 1992, 22-4). (b) Three fragments of single cross slab; Leask gives reconstructed size of L 201/2in, Wth 161/2in. Inscribed with framed cross with U-shaped expansions, circular central panel, ornamented with key-pattern. (ibid., no. 6, 2) (c) Three fragments of single cross slab. Incised respectively with part of U-shaped expansion of cross arm; with same, including section of tapering, constricted part of arm and detached angle which is probably part of second expansion; square central panel, corners of which enter the angles between the arms, from which emerge tapering segments of three arms. Expansions ornamented with step-pattern, central panel with fret, tapering arm constrictions with triquetra knot. (ibid., no. 7, 2) (d) Worn fragment of cross-slab, incised with central circular panel and possible beginnings of curved arm-constrictions decorated with interlocking Ts and arrows. Central panel decorated with fret-maze pattern. There appear to have been cusps at angles of arms. (ibid., no. 8, 2-3) All above dated by Leask (1938, 105-6) to 9th century, by Lionard (1961, 155) to c. 700 AD; Henderson and Okasha (1992, 34) date (a) and (c) to mid-8th century, (b) and (d) to 'somewhat later'. Latter three now housed in National Museum of Ireland, Dublin; concrete casts of same have been mounted on S wall of chancel. (e) Built into W side of wall press at E end of S wall of chancel. Fragment of rectangular cross-slab (H c. 51cm; Wth 24cm; T 5cm), deeply incised with framed, plain, shafted cross-potent with rectangular central panel; curved line at one end of shaft suggests former curved base. (ibid., no. 2, 2) (f) Built into back of wall press at E end of S wall of chancel. Fragment of rectangular cross-slab (H 53cm; Wth 29cm) incised with linear Latin cross; triangular terminals and lozenge shape in centre defined by everted curves. (ibid., no. 3, 2) (g) Built into wall press at E end of S wall of chancel. One fragment (H 52.5cm; Wth 25cm; T 5.2cm) built into E side, second (14.5cm x 24cm; T 3.5cm) into floor. First probably part of cross-shaft, ornamented with sunken interlace composed of four-strand plaitwork carved in relief; interlace flows into D-shaped base. Second fragment is part of interlace panel. (ibid., no. 4, 2) (h) Fragment of cross-slab (21cm x 29.5cm; T 8cm), dressed on both sides, deeply incised on one side with part of semicircular expansion of cross arm ornamented with step pattern made up of interlocking T- and L-shapes. (ibid., no. 9, 3) (i) Fragment of cross-slab (24.5cm x 22.1cm; T 6cm) incised with part of semicircular expansion of cross arm or cross shaft ornamented with two plain curved panels. (ibid., no. 10, 3) (j) Fragment of cross-slab (H 13.5cm; Wth 14cm; T 2.2cm) incised with section of frame and part of Latin inscription: [.]-/PORA[.]-/ESCUNT[.]-/S[T]SCR-. (ibid., no. 11, 3, 12) (k) Fragment of cross-slab (H 21.5cm Wth 18.5cm; T 4.5cm) incised with part of concave-sided upper arm of cross attached to frame; ornamented with fret-pattern. Latin inscription adjacent to arm: -[.]ANT/-[.E]D (ibid., no. 12, 3, 12) (l) Fragment (H 8cm; Wth 11.5cm; T 2.5cm) of stone with Latin inscription: -[..E]S[..]-/-[T]/AT/IST/U[.]-/-[.]-. Henderson and Okasha comment that letters resemble those of (j). (ibid., no. 13, 3, 12) Stones (h)-(l) now housed in National Museum of Ireland, Dublin. (m) Fragment of upper quadrant of cross slab, found in 1894, but now lost. Incised with part of concave-sided side arm of cross, attached to frame. Part of an inscription placed above arm: -[C]ES[...]-. Leask (ibid., 106) comments that this and (k) may be parts of same slab. (Henderson and Okasha 1992, no. 14, 3, 13) (n) Irregularly shaped cross slab (96cm x 35cm; T 6cm), formerly standing upright at E end of chancel but disinterred by National Monuments and Historic Properties Service, Dúchas in 1993 (ibid., no. 5, 2; Henderson and Okasha 1997, 10-16). Unfinished six-petalled marigold cross set within recessed circle (diam. 19.2 cm), crudely executed; nearby, at diagonal to long axis of stone, human figure, partly flaked-away, holding left arm extended outwards; possibly orans figure or more possibly Christ crucified with rayed nimbus. Probable late 8th-9th century in date. Authors suggest either that slab was originally larger, the intention being to flank figure with second marigold cross, perhaps intended as shrine panel or altar frontal, or that it was a teaching motif piece. (o) Slab (H 47cm; Wth 32.5cm; max. T 14.7cm), recently discovered (ibid., no. 18, 10, 17, plate 2) set into ground against S end of E wall of nave, gable-shaped with small hole near apex. Incised with framed outline Latin cross with wedge-shaped terminals. (p) Fragment of incised slab (c. 12in x 10in), fastened high up on S wall of chancel, bearing foliated cross, tentatively dated by Leask (ibid., 108) to 13th century; cross is resting on breast of figure indicated by shoulder and neck lines. (Henderson and Okasha 1992, 7) (q) Effigy of man within coffin-shaped frame (H c. 3ft), fastened onto S wall of chancel; inscribed BERICHEART. Much worn by pilgrims rubbing stone. Described by Leask (ibid., 108) as 16th-17th century; Reeves (1858, 274) states that it was cut in Charleville c. 1830. (Henderson and Okasha 1992, 7) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009