What is recorded here

St Connell's Crucifixion Graveslab lies broken south of St. Connell's Church on Inishkeel Island, carving Christ with outstretched arms above six-legged animals, swans, and a spiral triquetra band. The slab measures nearly two metres across, yet half its narrative has surrendered to time, leaving the left side incomplete and the meaning suspended. What remains is vivid enough to suggest the maker believed the crucifixion belonged inside a living world of creatures and angels, not beside it.

Located within a graveyard (DG064-003001-) which encloses two medieval churches, St Mary’s (DG064-003002-) and St. Connell’s (DG064-003006-), a fragment of a high cross (DG064-003008-), four cross slabs (DG064-003004-; DG064-003005-; DG064-0030009-; DG064-003010-) and a graveslab (DG064-003007-). Another cross-slab (DG064-003003-) is now missing. This complex of monuments, a National Monument in state ownership (No. 658), is located on the E side of Inishkeel Island in good pasture land. This small island which lies in a sheltered spot c. 500m offshore is accessible on foot at low tide. This grave slab (dg064-003007-) is located immediately S of St. Connell's Church. It is broken transversely and part of it does not survive. The original dimensions were c. 1.83m × c. O.75mx .095m. The decoration depicts a crucifixion scene, Christ with outstretched arms clad in a long robe. His feet are out-turned and possibly shoe-clad. A six legged animal and two swans are located above the left arm while a similar animal and one swan appear above the right arm. An angel and a human figure holding a spear-like object appear under each arm but the left side is partially missing. A band which surrounds Christ is formed into a combined spiral and triquetra design under the feet of the two adjoining figures. The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated. Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Medieval cross slab, 9th–11th century; significant as a carved Christian funerary monument associated with early ecclesiastical sites on Inishkeel.

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