Cross-slab in Reachlainn Uí Bhirn

Discovered in 1985 lying face-down amongst the roofing-stones of the well-house (DG089-018002-) this slab is described by Herity (1995, 99, No. 07) as a ‘Slab with one pointed or gabled end, 51cm tall, 27cm in maximum width and up to 5cm in thickness; the gabled end is the only one which would provide purchase in order for the slab to stand upright and is taken here as the butt with the incised cross described in relation to this presumed orientation. On one broad face, near the flat apex is a Latin cross, 26.5cm tall and 23.5cm across the arms. The cross has elaborated terminals at the end of each limb, on the arms and at the 'foot' a bar terminal intersects each limb 2-2.5cm before the end of the foot, and 3-3.5cm before the ends of the arms; on the 'head' is a forked or fish-tail terminal.’ Compiled by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 2 February 2014

Dateable to the early medieval period, this cross-slab likely served a Christian commemorative or liturgical function. Its discovery among roofing stones suggests later reuse, though the original carving may have had religious or territorial significance.