Cross-inscribed stone in Coolnaha South

In rough ground, covered in long grass, on the margins of Ballyhaunis Golf Course, within an enclosure (MA093-0100001-) located towards the NE edge of the flat summit of a high hill, with excellent views in all direction Not indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; indicated on the 1916 edition as ‘Standing Stone’. Irregular-shaped sandstone slab (Wth 0.4m at base, 0.52m at top, E−W; T 0.23m; H 0.84m) set upright in the ground. The broad face of the stone expands at the top, projecting slightly to S. A single-line ringed-cross is incised on the narrow N face of the stone at a height of c. 0.2m above current ground level and c. 0.4m below the top of the stone. The incised ring (diam. c. 11cm) spans the narrow width of the stone, and is in fact roughly C-shaped rather that a complete circle: The incised curve is incomplete on the E side where it is defined only by the straight edge of the stone. It is possible that a portion of the carving/edge of the stone broke off in the past, or it may simply have been a misjudgement in the execution of the carving due to the narrowness of this side of the stone. The horizontal arms of the cross span the full with of the circle. The shaft of the cross extends c. 11cm below the ring, giving an overall height of the cross of c. 22-22.5cm The carving is now very indistinct, its outline more easily traced with fingers than the eye. The stone surface is mottled with pale-coloured lichen, and the moss grows on the lower part of the stone. A low stone (max. dim. 0.22m; H 0.2m) protrudes from the ground adjacent to the base of the cross-inscribed stone on its W side; possibly intended as a support for the cross-inscribed stone, but it does not appear to abut it directly. When seen by Knox (1914, 42-43) in the early 1900’s, the cross-inscribed stone was encircled by an enclosure (MA093-011001-) (diam. c. 10m), of which there is now no trace. The stone stood close to the enclosing bank at E, however, that may not have been its exact original location: Knox noted that ‘Some forty years ago it was being carted away for building, but the neighbours rescued it and replaced it, probably in the original position.’ A squat upright limestone block (H 0.72m; L 0.5m N−S; Wth base 0.4m, 0.14m at top) is located 8m N of the cross-inscribed stone in the adjoining field. It is unclear if it has any archaeological significance. Attached images: MA093-011002-_01.JPG Cross-inscribed stone viewed from S MA093-011002-_02.JPG Viewed from N MA093-011002-_03.JPG Incised cross on N face Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 7 December 2022