Cross-slab (present location) in Inishmurray

Brought to the Schoolhouse/OPW conservation store from Teach Molaise (SL001-001005-) in the Cashel (SL001-001001-) in 1989. Slab (H: 0.676 m, W: 0.258 m, Th: 0.036 m) with cross filling upper portion of both faces. On one side is a slightly shafted incised cross with expanded serifs that terminate in a pair of mirrored backed spirals. The upper terminal features an extra pair of spirals above these. The base of the shaft develops, below the spirals, into an incised skeuomorphic tapering spike that bisects an axially positioned rectilinear motif with a break at its base. This incised cross is embellished with an outline cross formed from pairs of false relief twisting strands (two turns in each vertical, a single in the horizontals) with Stafford knot terminals and a simple interweave at the crossing. In each quadrant is an incised circular pit. On the other face is a slightly shafted irregular incised cross with cusped serifs on the horizontal arms, a serif with mirrored downward facing loops on the upper arm and, near the base, a bulbous swelling that surrounds a false-relief dimpled boss before developing into a skeuomorphic spike. In each quadrant is an incised crosslet with cusped terminals. 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: 12 March 2018