Cross-inscribed stone in Carrownaleck

Located in rough upland pasture, in the S-facing foothills of the Ox Mountains, adjacent to a small cluster of ruined 18th/19th-century cottages. This cross-inscribed stone is broken; it now consists of a roughly T-shaped sandstone boulder (L 0.39m) with a cross and two symbols inscribed on one face. The stone appears to have been chosen for its unusual natural form; the edges are smooth and rounded, and there is no evidence of sculpting to create the T-shape. The narrow part of the stone or stem of the ‘T’ (L c. 0.22m; Wth 0.21m; T 0.11m) is bulbous at its terminal, from where it narrows slightly before expanding in a gently sweeping curve into the ‘bar’ (Wth 0.39m) of the T. The stone is broken at this broad end, presenting a straight, sheared-off surface. The incised cross (H 0.08m; Wth at arms 0.09m) is located at the neck of the stone, and is outlined by narrow, shallow incised grooves. The upright element of the cross has long bar terminals, with each bar having a slight expansion at its terminals. The horizontal element (arms) of the cross extends the full width of the stone, and has a slight expansion at each terminal. The cross as a whole is crude and asymmetrical in execution. Two widely spaced, incised symbols are evident at the broad end of the stone, both are truncated by the broken edge. One symbol is triangular (H 0.06m; Wth 0.07m) with very slightly bowed sides, the other is roughly D-shaped (H 0.03-0.04m; Wth 0.075m) with a short linear extension or ‘tail’ at one side. It is not now possible to determine their significance. They may be an attempt to outline a more elaborate cross-like carving on the broader part of the stone, or they may represent letters. The D-shaped symbol, for instance, resembles the top of a D in typical early medieval half-uncial script, although this resemblance may be entirely fortuitous. As the stone is incomplete, and its provenance unknown, it is difficult to date with certainty. The crude execution of the incised symbols and the choice of a stone of unusual natural shape might suggests a relatively late date, perhaps Penal Era/17th- or 18th-century. However, an early medieval date is not impossible: this style of incised cross occurs on early medieval slabs. There is no known burial ground or ecclesiastical site in the immediate vicinity of the find spot. A cashel (SL031-003-----), reused as a burial ground (SL031-003002-), is located 1km to SE, and Kilcummin graveyard (SL036-006002-), site of a church (SL031-006001-), is 1.5km to S. Attached images: SL031-067---_01.JPG Cross-inscribed stone SL031-067---_02.JPG Close-up of the incised symbols SL031-067---_03.JPG Set upright, in profile Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 5 July 2019