Socket Stone — Durrow Demesne

A sixth century monastery was founded at Durrow reputedly by Colum Cille [of the church] who died in 597 and whose feastday is celebrated on the 9th of June (Ó Riain 2011, 213-14). Marked on the OS 6-inch map as the 'Socket Stone' which appears to be the base of a small cross. It is situated to the SSE of the medieval church (OF009-005013-) outside the graveyard (OF009-005009-) wall. This pyramidal shaped stone (H 0.6m; 0.25m x 0.2m x 0.15m) acted as the base of a small cross which was located on top of the W gable of the church (OF009-005013-) and is now located in the National Museum of Ireland. The base of the cross was known locally as 'the headache stone' (De Courcy Williams 1897, 135). See attached image of cross taken from De Courcy Williams 1897. Limited archaeological investigations were undertaken by Tracy Collins of Aegis Archaeology Ltd. under licence No. E3161 at Durrow as part of the ongoing conservation works at the National Monument on behalf of the OPW (Collins 2009, 449). Two trenches, measuring some 200m in length, 0.5m in depth and 0.5m in width, were excavated by mini-digger at either side of the avenue to Durrow House. Approximately half of the avenue’s length is within the zone of archaeological potential for the complex. These trenches are proposed for future service conduits for the church structure which now houses the high cross (OF009-005010-). The trenches were sealed with varying modern stony surfaces for the avenue, which was underlain by the natural parent material of reddish-orange/brown compacted sandy clay. According to aerial photographic evidence for the site, the avenue bisects a circular enclosing element for the early medieval monastery (OF009-005003-). However, the two trenches dug did not reveal any information on this element. It is likely that this feature does remain subsurface and the depth of the trenches dug did not reach it. Human remains were located at the western end of the southern trench. They were located outside the current graveyard (OF009-005009-), though inside the likely enclosing element of the monastery. Furthermore they lay to the north-east of a high cross base (OF009-005007-), locally known as the ‘socket stone’. The human remains were examined in situ and found to be previously disturbed, though likely to have been articulated when buried. The remains were orientated east–west with the heads to the west, in the Christian tradition. The minimum number of individuals was estimated at three adults. It was agreed that these remains could be left in situ, protected under the proposed conduit route. A short trench was dug across the avenue at its western end to connect the two trenches with service trenches dug in the previous season. All trenches were then lined with plastic and backfilled. During the winter of 2006, a tree fall occurred immediately outside and to the north-west of the graveyard. When the area was inspected it was found that human bone had been exposed. During this season’s works, this exposed area plus the tree root ball itself were investigated. A large quantity of human bone was revealed. Upon examination it was found that most of this human bone was disarticulated and that the root action of the tree had further disturbed the remains. The human bone which remained in the ground was recorded and preserved in situ. The human bone and soil which had been entangled in the tree roots was excavated and retained for further study (Collins 2010, 402). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011